Olympique Lyonnais resumed training on June 29 with the Champions League third qualifying round in sight, scheduled for August 4-5 (first leg) and August 11 (second leg). Success would lead directly to the playoffs, slated for the following two weeks. This dense schedule prompted Lyon to seek a postponement of their Ligue 1 season opener against Toulouse, originally set for August 22.
In a formal letter to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), Lyon’s hierarchy argued that the August 22 fixture fell between the Champions League playoffs, potentially compromising their preparation. The club invoked precedent, referencing Paris Saint-Germain’s repeated postponement requests during the previous season, which were granted. Lyon emphasized the broader interests of French football in supporting their case.
However, the LFP’s administrative council, convening via videoconference on Monday evening, rejected the request by vote. A key argument against approval cited the impracticality of an opening matchday with a fixture missing, particularly as Ligue 1+ now broadcasts all games. The council maintained the integrity of the league’s calendar as paramount.