On Thursday morning, the board of directors of the Professional Football League will have to make a decision on the requests to postpone the matches of PSG and Strasbourg, engaged in the Champions League and Conference League.
It is article 22 of the statutes and regulations of the LFP that provides for this provision and allows the board to “decide on the general schedule of events and the schedule of matches (excluding programming) and to make any modifications during the season.”
Who will decide on the postponement of the matches?
Basically, the board of directors of the League has the final say in this matter. This issue will be discussed among the various members of this board of directors, where RC Lens will not be represented. The Sang et Or club is not part of the LFP board. Strasbourg, who requested a postponement like PSG for their match against Brest, will likely be present at this meeting with their president Marc Keller.
This board is chaired by Vincent Labrune, president of the LFP. Among the board members are Lola Pierrès (representing the National Union of Administrative and Assimilated Footballers), Jacky Bonnevay (UNECATEF), Victoriano Melero (United Football and PSG DG), François Morinière (independent member), Karl Olive (independent member), Philippe Piat (UNFP), Eric Rolland (AMCFP), and David Terrier (UNFP).
Presidents from Ligue 1 are also present: Waldemar Kita, Juan Sartori, Loic Fery, Marc Keller, Nasser al-Khelaifi, Pablo Longoria, and Olivier Létang. Others from Ligue 2 include Pierre-Olivier Murat and Bernard Joannin. Finally, the president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, is also a member of this board. Not all members of this board have a decisive vote on such matters. Some representatives of football families have only a consultative voice (Olivier Lamarre, Lola Pierrès, Philippe Diallo, etc.). If some are directly involved in the issue, they may decide not to attend or to withdraw on that specific matter.
Exchanges and then a vote before the final decision
How will it unfold? A presentation of this issue will be made to the board members. An exchange then takes place among the members on the subject, usually in a video format, with each member giving their opinion. Then a vote is organized.
In a board meeting report dated March 5, 2026, the LFP details a session related to a match postponement. In this case, it was Lille’s request at the center of the debate regarding the OM-Lille match. The LFP explained that “considering that Lille’s request for a postponement does not fall under the usual ‘protection of clubs participating in European competitions’ system, as the match takes place after the European sequence and not before it.” The protection system for European clubs is thus highlighted by the LFP to make a decision on this matter.
The LFP also adds that “in these conditions, Olympique de Marseille’s agreement is essential to consider Lille’s request.” OM was against this request and Pablo Longoria, as well as Olivier Létang, were absent that day. Finally, the LFP refused “unanimously with the voting members (12) who participated in this consultation to reject Lille’s request.”
Original article published on RMC Sport
