LFP rejects Olympique Lyonnais’ request to postpone opening Ligue 1 fixture against Toulouse

Olympique Lyonnais will kick off their Ligue 1 campaign in Toulouse on August 22nd. The club had approached the LFP to reschedule this game, which was set to occur just days after a crucial Champions League playoff. However, the LFP has declined this adjustment.

The disagreements between the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) are emerging even before the season’s official start. Set to face Toulouse FC on August 22nd for the opening day of Ligue 1, the Rhône-based club’s management formally requested the professional football league to defer the fixture. The primary reason cited was the potential scheduling conflict: this match could fall between the two legs of a possible Champions League playoff, should OL advance from the preceding round.

This was a legitimate concern for the Lyon board, which communicated its request to the LFP via official correspondence.

To bolster their case, OL invoked the “PSG precedent,” emphasizing the broader interests of French football. Paris Saint-Germain had previously received several match postponements last season, allowing them optimal preparation for their demanding European commitments.

Potential playoff fixtures sandwiched between league games for OL

Given these circumstances and appealing to the principle of fairness, the seven-time French champions anticipated a positive response from the League.

Unexpectedly, the LFP’s Board of Directors rejected the possibility, as I understand. The governing body is reportedly unwilling to disrupt the Ligue 1 television schedule right from the very first matchday of the season.

This decision marks an early calendar setback for Paulo Fonseca’s squad. The Gones will now face a demanding period at the end of August as they strive for a coveted spot in the UEFA Champions League group stage.