Olympique lyonnais denied request to postpone first ligue 1 match

Olympique Lyonnais have had their plea to delay their opening Ligue 1 fixture against Toulouse turned down by the French Football League, despite potential scheduling conflicts with Champions League qualifiers.

The request was submitted as a precautionary measure, with Lyon set to face Toulouse on August 22, just days after the conclusion of the Champions League playoff rounds. If the Gones progress beyond the third qualifying round, their European commitments could overlap with domestic league action.

Third qualifying round clashes loom

Lyon’s Champions League campaign would commence with a first-leg tie on either August 4 or 5, followed by a return leg on August 11. Should they advance further, additional midweek European fixtures could encroach upon Ligue 1 fixtures, mirroring scenarios encountered by Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg earlier in the year.

However, the LFP’s decision remains firm: no adjustments will be made to the league’s opening weekend schedule.

LFP prioritizes league integrity

In a virtual meeting of the LFP’s board on Monday evening, officials unanimously declined Lyon’s request, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the league’s opening fixtures. This stance comes as Ligue 1 prepares for its inaugural season under the Ligue 1+ broadcasting model, which promises full coverage of all matches.

Should Lyon qualify for the Champions League playoffs, they will be required to navigate European commitments while also fulfilling their Ligue 1 obligations, including the trip to Toulouse for their league opener.