Paris (AFP)
The kickoff of the poster for the knockout stages of the Coupe de France, Paris SG-Lille, initially scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m., then postponed to 4:45 p.m. after the start of a controversy, will finally be given at 5:45 p.m., PSG announced on Friday. .
The defending champion formalized the new schedule three hours after Eurosport announced that the flagship match would start at 4:45 p.m.
According to the sports daily L'Équipe, the initial choice to play the match at 2:00 p.m. was the result of a request from France 3, co-broadcaster with Eurosport, which did not wish to disrupt its schedule of late afternoon programs.
Scheduling the meeting in the evening would have placed the match in competition with the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League, scheduled from 9:00 p.m.
The 8th of the Coupe de France is normally played on April 6 and 7, but PSG being qualified for the quarterfinals of the C1 (first leg: April 6/7), its match against Lille had to be brought forward to March 17, in the heart of 'a busy schedule for him.
Losc coach Christophe Galtier was surprised at the initial schedule (before the announcement of rescheduling) on Friday at a press conference.
"It's a shame to put this game at a time (with the 6:00 p.m. curfew) when people can be outside, getting some fresh air, sunbathing. I hope it makes sense. from the broadcaster, ”he explained.
This poster pits the defending champion against the leader of Ligue 1.
At the beginning of the afternoon, the Professional Football League (LFP) announced several changes in its schedule for the 30th day of Ligue 1.
The Lille Mastiffs, who were to receive Nîmes on Saturday March 20 at 5:00 p.m., will finally play the next day at the end of the afternoon (5:05 p.m.).
Saint-Etienne - Monaco, initially scheduled for Sunday March 20 at 5:05 p.m., is brought forward to Friday March 19 (9:00 p.m.), at the time slot initially allocated to Nice-Marseille.
The Mediterranean derby has been set for Saturday March 20 (5:00 p.m.).
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