The 'Rothen S'Enflamme' Petition: Against Postponing the Lens-PSG Clash

On the eve of the LFP's decision regarding the potential postponement of the Lens-PSG match, the "Rothen S'Enflamme" team and its consultants are actively advocating for the LFP to reject this calendar change. Here are their reasons.

On April 11th at 5 PM, Ligue 1 leaders PSG are scheduled to visit their closest rivals, RC Lens, for a monumental clash that could be decisive in determining the 2026 French championship title.

However, with Paris Saint-Germain's qualification for the Champions League quarter-finals, this crucial Ligue 1 encounter is now sandwiched between their two legs against Liverpool. To maximize their chances against the Reds, PSG has requested a postponement of their match against Lens, aiming for a weekend of rest between their European challenges.

The "Rothen S'Enflamme" show and all its consultants are sending a clear message to the LFP: the postponement of this vital Lens-PSG match must be refused!

While the idea of giving the Parisian powerhouse a helping hand on the European stage is understandable, there are too many compelling reasons to reject this request:

• Undermining Ligue 1: Treating this pivotal Ligue 1 fixture as a mere inconvenience for PSG neither honors nor serves our championship, especially during a delicate period for French football.
• Ignoring RC Lens: RC Lens has clearly stated its opposition to the postponement. To disregard the voice of a club that has earned the right on the pitch to contend for the title against the mighty PSG is unacceptable.
• Unfair Calendar for Lens: If the Lens-PSG match were to be postponed, it would likely be rescheduled between the 33rd and 34th Ligue 1 matchdays, around May 12th or 13th. This solution would adjust PSG's schedule while severely disrupting that of Lens, who are also competing in the Coupe de France. The "Sang et Or" (Lens) would face a period with no matches between April 4th and 17th, only to then play three games in seven days, followed by four in thirteen days. This would transform Lens's season finale into an unfairly grueling ordeal.
• LFP Regulations: The LFP regulations specify that scheduling a postponed match between the last two Ligue 1 matchdays is undesirable and should only be considered in exceptional circumstances. Classifying PSG's request as a valid exception would send a very poor message from the League.
• Crucial Competitive Balance: MOST IMPORTANTLY, in a Ligue 1 that has been largely dominated by the Parisian giant in recent years, RC Lens, with the league's 10th-largest budget, deserves to benefit from any fatigue endured by their rival, whose squad is built to compete on multiple fronts. Denying Lens this potential advantage would further diminish suspense in our championship.

For all these reasons, the LFP must REFUSE PSG's request to postpone the Lens-PSG match.

While the "Rothen S'Enflamme" team would undoubtedly be delighted to see PSG embark on another European epic and reach the Champions League final, this must not come at the expense of Ligue 1, the jewel of French football.

For a Lens-PSG match on April 11th, sign the petition!

Signatories: The "Rothen S'Enflamme" team and its consultants, including Jérôme Rothen, Christophe Dugarry, Jean-Michel Larqué, Éric Di Meco, Emmanuel Petit, Jean-Pierre Papin, Pascal Olmeta, Souleymane Diawara, Tony Vairelles, Steve Savidan, Benoît Costil.