The upcoming weekend promises to be an abnormal one in Ligue 1. In order to maximise the chances of Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille and Lille OSC progressing in their respective European fixtures, their league games have been postponed this weekend.
As a result, FC Lorient v PSG, AS Monaco v Lille and Marseille v OGC Nice will not take place this weekend, but on a later date in April. The LFP’s decision to do so has been largely well received, with Les Parisiens’ opponents Lorient coming out in support of the measure, which they perceive to be for the good of French football globally.
However, there is one rather vocal opponent. Le Havre AC president Jean-Michel Roussier was highly critical of PSG’s decision to field a second-string XI against Clermont Foot on Saturday, ahead of their encounter against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
“It is an expression of huge contempt towards the French league,” he began in a statement to L’Equipe. “I’ve constructed a text to send to Ligue 1 to express how I feel seeing PSG making fun of our league. Apparently, all of that has been validated by a lot of people. They’re taking the p*ss out of people,” he added.
In an interview with RMC Sport, Roussier has recounted an “angry” week in which he learnt from the LFP that in the event that PSG progress against Barcelona, Le Havre’s match against the runaway Ligue 1 leaders may be postponed. Roussier has categorically rejected the idea.
“I told the league: ‘You’re dreaming. Do you think that in the position we’re in, I will accept making a trip to Nice, then to the Parc [des Princes] before hosting OM? You’re mad!’ In addition to that, we’re talking about the final and penultimate matchday of the Ligue 1
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