Originally scheduled for this Sunday evening, ’Le Classique’ between Olympique de Marseille and PSG has been postponed by the Bouches-du-Rhône Prefecture.
“According to Meteo-France forecasts, the entire department will be hit in the late afternoon by a Mediterranean weather system that will cause heavy rain and thunderstorms,” said a press release posted early this afternoon.
“Rainfall could reach 70 to 90 mm in some areas and locally 120 mm in a few hours. Rainfall intensity could be very high due to the possible stationary nature of these storm cells. In towns and cities, particularly in Marseille, significant urban runoff could occur.”
“Consequently, and in the interests of consistency and safety for all, the Prefect has taken the decision to cancel tonight’s football match between OM and PSG. The professional football league and the clubs have been informed in advance.”
“This decision was motivated by the principle of prudence. When there are very violent Mediterranean storms, particularly in a city like Marseille, the main recommendation is to stay at home. Football is important, but safety is vital,” the regional prefect later explained.
Following this decision, however, one question remained unanswered: When should the match be rescheduled? If we refer solely to the legislation, the answer is clear.
In accordance with Article 548, ‘Conditions for postponing a match postponed or stopped due to bad weather,’ of the Professional Football League regulations, “when, due to bad weather, the match could not start, it shall be postponed, or when it has been definitively interrupted, it shall resume from the minute at which it was interrupted, the following day (except in extreme conditions), at a time set by the LFP.”
In other words, the meeting would have to be rescheduled for tomorrow, Monday. But things are not as simple as they seem.
The fault lies mainly with the Ballon d’Or ceremony being held on the same day. The event is eagerly awaited by Parisian representatives, who have been nominated in various categories. And this is particularly true of the Ballon d’Or trophy, for which no fewer than nine Rouge et Bleu players are competing in the list of 30 nominees and potential winners. Luis Enrique, who is expected to be voted Coach of the Year, is also involved.
Faced with the complexity and unprecedented nature of the situation, the Ligue has nonetheless decided to take decisive action by enforcing its regulations.
“The OM-PSG Classique has been postponed until Monday 22 September at 8pm. Due to severe weather conditions forecast for the Marseille region, the Olympique de Marseille-Paris Saint-Germain match, counting towards the fifth day of Ligue 1 and scheduled for tonight, has been postponed by decision of the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône,” the governing body ruled.
