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Controversy Arises Over Marseille-Paris Saint-Germain Postponement
OM were unhappy over Sunday's postponement and they are not particularly keen on the dates proposed for the rearranged fixture...
Oct 26, 2009 2:14:43 PM
After Sunday’s Clasico encounter between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain was postponed due to a swine flu epidemic in les Parisiens’ camp, the two teams are struggling to come to an agreement as to when the match should be rescheduled.
OM want to play the game as soon as possible, and are targeting Wednesday, October 28, just three days after the original fixture was scheduled for. However, Paris Saint-Germain are vehemently opposed to this date. With several members of their first team struck by swine flu, including Ludovic Giuly and Mamadou Sakho, the squad is effectively in quarantine and will not begin training again until that date, according to France Football.
The Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) have rules that state the game must be played before the winter break, but OM’s Champions League commitments make that awkward. The teams could meet on November 11, on the eve of France’s crucial World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, or on December 2, six days before OM are due to meet Real Madrid in what is likely to be a vital Champions League home encounter.
Deschamps has rejected this second option out of hand. “It’s inconceivable,” he blasted. “We would play ten games in 31 days. It’s not a question if you want to protect the French clubs who play in the Champions League.”
No break has yet been made to this stalemate, though it would seem that the latter date is the likelier to be used. A decision will be made on Thursday.
The late postponement of Sunday’s match sparked violence in the port city, with numerous arrests made as angry PSG fans found themselves having made the lengthy journey only to have no game to attend.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
OM want to play the game as soon as possible, and are targeting Wednesday, October 28, just three days after the original fixture was scheduled for. However, Paris Saint-Germain are vehemently opposed to this date. With several members of their first team struck by swine flu, including Ludovic Giuly and Mamadou Sakho, the squad is effectively in quarantine and will not begin training again until that date, according to France Football.
The Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) have rules that state the game must be played before the winter break, but OM’s Champions League commitments make that awkward. The teams could meet on November 11, on the eve of France’s crucial World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland, or on December 2, six days before OM are due to meet Real Madrid in what is likely to be a vital Champions League home encounter.
Deschamps has rejected this second option out of hand. “It’s inconceivable,” he blasted. “We would play ten games in 31 days. It’s not a question if you want to protect the French clubs who play in the Champions League.”
No break has yet been made to this stalemate, though it would seem that the latter date is the likelier to be used. A decision will be made on Thursday.
The late postponement of Sunday’s match sparked violence in the port city, with numerous arrests made as angry PSG fans found themselves having made the lengthy journey only to have no game to attend.
Robin Bairner, Goal.com
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