Paris Saint-Germain has requested a schedule adjustment ahead of its two Champions League matches against Chelsea, the draw for the Round of 16 of which took place on Friday at noon. According to a statement from the LFP (French Professional Football League), relayed by L’Equipe, Ouest France, and Footmercato, PSG has approached the Board of Directors, with the agreement of FC Nantes, to postpone the match initially scheduled for the weekend of March 13-15.
“Paris Saint-Germain has approached the LFP Board of Directors, with the agreement of FC Nantes.”
“In order to best prepare for its two Champions League matches against Chelsea (the draw for the Round of 16 took place this Friday at noon), Paris Saint-Germain has approached the LFP Board of Directors, with the agreement of FC Nantes, to request that the match be played during the week of April 20, 2026,” the League stated, adding that the LFP Board of Directors’ decision will be announced as soon as possible. “
On paper, the idea is simple: to give PSG a break between two European fixtures by rescheduling Nantes-PSG for the week of April 20, 2026, subject to approval by the LFP’s Board of Directors. However, in reality, this kind of postponement is never neutral. For Nantes, whose season often hinges on a handful of points in the spring, moving a key match can disrupt their preparation, momentum, and even the organization surrounding the game. And from a purely ‘principled’ point of view, there’s also the issue: a calendar is published, everyone knows the risk zones with the Champions League as early as the summer, and these last-minute adjustments give the impression of a Ligue 1 that’s constantly being reshaped in response to emergencies.
The debate isn’t about ‘helping’ a French club in Europe, but about how to do it without creating an unfair domino effect. The LFP’s decision will primarily send a signal: priority to European performance, or priority to strict calendar equality.”
