A French politician has hit out at the decision to postpone Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 match between their Champions League quarter-final tie against Liverpool. On Thursday morning, it was confirmed by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), that their game against RC Lens would be moved to a later date.
Given the advantage it offers PSG, there is certainly anger from Liverpool, who will play Fulham in the weekend between the two knockout fixtures, but there is arguably more from Lens, especially as they sit just one point behind Luis Enrique's side in the Ligue 1 standings.
Lens were against the fixture being postponed given the scheduling issues it would cause, but their protests have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. Their frustrations looked to have been echoed in French politics with Xavier Bertrand, who is President of the Hauts-de-France region, slamming the decision to rearrange the fixture.
He wrote on X: "RC Lens is currently second in Ligue 1, one point behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain. This clash is now the most important match of the season for both clubs.
"And yet, the LFP decided to ignore RC Lens' position, despite their having presented serious sporting arguments: two weeks without a match, followed by three games in eight days. RC Lens was right to stand firm.
"They were defending not just their own interests, but a fundamental principle: sporting fairness. Our league deserved better. The fans deserved better. Football deserved better."
This is just the latest angry statement on the major talking point with Lens issuing one earlier this week after learning of PSG's request.
They stressed concern that a "worrying trend" was starting to develop that sees the French "relegated to a mere variable that can be adjusted to the European demands of certain clubs". The Ligue 1 club also stated they felt as though the whole situation was "unsportsmanlike".
Luis Campos, who is an advisor to PSG, caused more anger with his explanation trying to justify their reasoning for asking to have their game moved.
Paris Saint-Germain beat Chelsea in the Champions League last-16
PSG's last fixture request did not cause as much controversy as Nantes, who were playing the European champions between their last-16 tie against Chelsea, were not against the clash being re-arranged.
Liverpool are already seen as the underdogs given their elimination at the hands of PSG last season and their struggles this season. It could turn out to be Mohamed Salah's final Champions League games for the club after he confirmed he would be leaving the club this summer.
Salah signed a two-year contract extension ahead of the current season but both he and the club have agreed to waive the final 12 months of that agreement which allows him to leave on a free transfer.
Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and Fanatics has cut the price of this season's kits with 'M. Salah 11' printing.
