LFP Board to Decide on Postponing Lens-PSG and Brest-Strasbourg Matches

The Professional Football League (LFP) Board of Directors is set to convene this Thursday to make a crucial decision regarding the potential postponement of two Ligue 1 fixtures: Lens vs. Paris Saint-Germain and Brest vs. Strasbourg. These requests for rescheduling stem from PSG's and Strasbourg's commitments in European competitions (Champions League and Conference League, respectively). Even if Lens opposes the request from the Parisian club, the LFP has the authority to mandate a new date for the 29th-round championship clash. This article outlines how the meeting will unfold and who holds the power to make these decisions.

This Thursday morning, the LFP Board of Directors will render its decision on the postponement requests from PSG and Strasbourg. This authority is granted by Article 22 of the LFP's statutes and regulations, which allows the Board to "establish the general calendar of events and the calendar of matches (excluding scheduling) and to make any modifications to them during the season."

Who Will Decide on Match Postponements?

The LFP Board of Directors holds the ultimate say in this matter. The case will be discussed among the various members of the Board. Notably, RC Lens will not be represented, as they are not part of the LFP's Board. Strasbourg, which, like PSG, has submitted a request for its match against Brest, is expected to have its president, Marc Keller, present at the meeting.

The Board is chaired by Vincent Labrune, president of the LFP. Its members include Lola Pierrès (representing the National Union of Football Administrators), Jacky Bonnevay (UNECATEF), Victoriano Melero (Foot Unis and PSG's General Manager), François Morinière (independent member), Karl Olive (independent member), Philippe Piat (UNFP), Eric Rolland (AMCFP), and David Terrier (UNFP).

Several Ligue 1 club presidents are also members: Waldemar Kita, Juan Sartori, Loic Fery, Marc Keller, Nasser al-Khelaifi (PSG), Pablo Longoria, and Olivier Létang. From Ligue 2, Pierre-Olivier Murat and Bernard Joannin are present. Finally, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Philippe Diallo, is also a Board member. However, for matters of this nature, not all members have deliberative voting rights; some representatives, such as Olivier Lamarre, Lola Pierrès, and Philippe Diallo, only have consultative votes. Members directly involved in a specific case may choose not to attend or to recuse themselves from discussions on that particular topic.

Discussions and a Vote Precede the Final Decision

How will the meeting proceed? The case will be presented to the Board members, followed by a discussion. As interlocutors often participate via video conference, a round-robin approach is typically used to gather opinions from each member. A vote is then organized.

A protocol from a Board meeting on March 5, 2026, illustrates the procedure for match postponements. In that instance, Lille had requested the postponement of its match against Olympique Marseille (OM). The LFP's rationale explained that "considering that LOSC's request for postponement does not fall under the usual 'protection of clubs engaged in European competitions' mechanism, inasmuch as the match takes place after the European sequence and not before it." This highlights that the "protection of European clubs" mechanism is a key factor the LFP considers when ruling on such matters.

The LFP further stated that "under these conditions, the agreement of Olympique Marseille is essential to consider LOSC's request." OM opposed the request, and Pablo Longoria and Olivier Létang were excused that day. Ultimately, the LFP unanimously rejected "by all deliberative voting members (12) who participated in this consultation" Lille's request. This precedent underscores the importance of both the "European protection" criteria and the agreement of the opposing club, although the LFP retains the power to impose a decision.