A major Ligue 1 matchup in Paris has been pushed back one day because of unrest in the city, with Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon now set to meet on Monday, October 26, at 8:30 p.m. local time.
The clubs were originally due to play at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, but the Paris Police Prefecture moved to block the game from going ahead on that date. The Ligue de Football Professionnel then confirmed the switch and said the fixture will be shown live on Ligue 1+.
“The LFP takes note of the order from the Paris Police Prefecture prohibiting the organization of the Paris Saint-Germain - Olympique Lyonnais match, which is part of the 8th matchday of Ligue 1 McDonald’s, on Sunday, October 25 at 8:45 PM, and decides, in agreement with Ligue 1+, to postpone the match to Monday, October 26 at 8:30 PM. The match will be broadcast live on Ligue 1+.”
The change comes against the backdrop of protests in Paris that began as school demonstrations in Créteil before spreading nationwide as residents joined in to complain about living costs. Al Jazeera reported on the unrest, while President Emmanuel Macron blamed ultra-left groups for what he called seditious acts.
The postponement also means PSG’s match now runs into the same evening as the Ballon d’Or ceremony. That event is scheduled for Monday at 9 p.m.
CET at the London Palladium, and Get Football News France notes the overlap. Among PSG’s nominees are Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos.
There has been no similar change for American football in the city. The NFL is keeping the Saints-Steelers game on the schedule, with the teams still set to play at the Stade de France on Sunday.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the league notes.
The Steelers had already canceled a fan event in Paris because of the turmoil.
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