Liverpool vs PSG Champions League fury escalates as Lens release fresh statement

RC Lens have expressed disappointment that their Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain has been rearranged. PSG ’s visit to Lens has had its date changed to give Luis Enrique’s side more time to prepare for their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool . PSG are scheduled to visit Lens in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday 11 April, with the fixture coming in between both legs of their tie against the Reds.

Arne Slot ’s side also have a Premier League match scheduled on that day, against Fulham at 5:30pm. But the match between the top two teams in France’s top division – PSG lead Lens by a point – will now take place on 13 May, three days before the final round of fixtures.

And reacting to the decision, Len said in a statement: “While expressing its disagreement with the unanimous decision of the LFP Board of Directors to postpone the match against Paris Saint-Germain, RC Lens acknowledges it responsibly, reaffirms its determination to pursue its sporting objectives, and specifies that ticketing arrangements will be communicated individually by email to each supporter.”

The Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) confirmed earlier this week that they have received a request from PSG to postpone their league game against Lens. They had also previously said they would always look to help French clubs in European competitions.

PSG were also granted the weekend off between their two games against Chelsea in the previous round of the competition. And in a statement released on Thursday after the decision was confirmed, the LFP said: “These decisions are part of the board’s strategic approach to help France maintain its fifth place in the UEFA co-efficient rankings, which grants four spots in the Champions League.”

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Earlier this week, Benjamin Parrot, Lens' general manager, expressed his anger at the proposal, saying: "The fact is, PSG made the choice of the Champions League, like Canal+, their broadcaster. Now, if the LFP doesn't defend Ligue 1, who will? If they don't defend the continuity and respect for what Ligue 1 is, who will?"

He continued, to the French media outlet L'Equipe: “When we start the season, we have the tenth-largest budget, we build a squad and a strategy to compete in the league and the Coupe de France.

“The fact that the reigning European champions can still be involved in European competition in the spring is good news, but it's not unpredictable.

“Yet today, they're asking us to change a known schedule, for which a plan has already been established. We realise that Ligue 1 is becoming the variable used to adjust the Champions League schedule.

"We're in a situation where one of the parties involved can't have a say. It's one thing for PSG to make the request, but for the LFP to grant it at such an advanced stage of the season... Besides, would this same debate even take place if Paris had a 15-point lead? They might simply rotate their squad."