The LFP officially confirmed on Friday that PSG-Lyon has been postponed to Monday 26 October at 20:30, on a decree from the Prefecture of Police. Right-back Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain) and defender Clinton Mata (Lyon) are expected to start in this duel between the co-leaders.
The summit of Ligue 1’s 8th matchday will not be played on Sunday evening at the Parc des Princes. The Ligue de football professionnel officially confirmed on Friday 23 October the postponement of Paris Saint-Germain – Olympique Lyonnais to Monday 26 October at 20:30, according to Boursorama / Reuters. Kick-off was initially scheduled for Sunday at 20:45, PSG.FR reports.
The decision follows a decree from the Prefecture of Police banning the match from being held on Sunday, due to a heavy deployment of law enforcement linked to demonstrations, the same source reports. An earlier ministerial decree had already banned Lyon supporters from travelling to Paris. The match will be played in agreement with the official broadcaster Ligue 1+.
Two co-leaders on the line
Olympique Lyonnais are co-leaders of Ligue 1 with 14 points after seven matchdays, ahead of PSG on goal difference, according to Flashscore. It is the first time since matchday 19 of the 2020-2021 season that Lyon have occupied top spot at this stage of the campaign.
On the pitch, Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, Paris Saint-Germain’s right-back, and Angola international Clinton Mata, Lyon’s defender, are expected to start for this fixture, according to Flashscore.
A prefectural decision
In its statement, the LFP acknowledged the prefectural decision: “The LFP acknowledges the decree of the Prefecture of Police banning the organisation of the Paris Saint-Germain – Olympique Lyonnais match (…) and decides, in agreement with Ligue 1+, to move the match to Monday 26 October at 20:30.”
Paris’s schedule is thereby disrupted. For the second year running, PSG will play a postponed match on the same evening as the Ballon d’Or ceremony held in London, Boursorama / Reuters reports. Ten Paris players are among the 30 finalists selected to succeed the Ballon d’Or honours list, the same source specifies.
Monday, 20:30, at the Parc
The match will therefore be played midweek, on Monday evening, at the Parc des Princes, with Ligue 1+ as broadcaster.
On the Paris side, PSG head coach Luis Enrique is preparing for this rescheduled clash, while ten of his players are among the 30 Ballon d’Or finalists. On the Lyon side, the club, co-leaders with 14 points, travel to Paris for this match. Kick-off is set for Monday 26 October at 20:30.