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Paris Saint-Germain sporting advisor Luis Campos has come out in defense of the club's bid to delay a domestic fixture against Lens scheduled between the two legs of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Liverpool, stating they were compelled to do so out of respect for the Reds' commemoration of the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy.
A total of 97 lives were lost as a result of the devastating events of April 15, 1989, during an FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium. The disaster remains one of the most defining moments in the club's history and is honored with heartfelt tributes each year on its anniversary.
Liverpool's quarterfinal fixtures against PSG are set for April 8 and April 14, much to the displeasure of the Parisian club, who had preferred the two matches to be held on April 7 and April 15 to allow adequate recovery time around a pivotal Ligue 1 encounter against title rivals Lens on April 11.
Campos appeared to indicate that PSG would have pushed for such a schedule adjustment were it not for the profound significance of April 15 to Liverpool, leaving them with little option but to seek the postponement of the Lens fixture—a request that was firmly rejected by Lens.
What Did Luis Campos Say?
Campos's reasoning is rooted in a desire to "protect" Ligue 1 in the race for an additional Champions League qualification berth.
A longer run in the tournament would strengthen France's position in UEFA's coefficient rankings, and additional rest would naturally improve their prospects of success—just as it did in the round of 16, when PSG had a match against Nantes postponed between their two legs against Chelsea. Whether that advantage was truly necessary to eliminate the Blues remains open to debate.
"Initially, we would have liked to play the Champions League on Tuesday [April 7], then on Wednesday [April 15]," he told RMC Sport.
"But since Liverpool cannot play on April 15, we respected Liverpool's history because it is a tragic date for the club.
"Our idea has always been to defend not only PSG but also French football in the current context of the fifth-place finish. Ligue 1 is in a position to lose its fifth place, and that will pose problems not only for PSG but for all French teams."
PSG Awarded Controversial Fixture Postponement
PSG currently sit just a single point ahead of Lens in the Ligue 1 table, though they do hold a game in hand following their earlier postponement.
It is undeniably a critical match in the French top flight, and Lens have been outspoken in their fury over the postponement request. However, France's Professional Football League (LFP) has sided with PSG and granted the delay, according to L'Équipe.
Lens retain the right to appeal the decision, but the LFP maintains it is acting in the best interests of all French clubs, citing the effort to improve France's standing in UEFA's rankings.
With the fixture now postponed, PSG will have a full week to recuperate between their two matches against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Arne Slot's side are scheduled to take on Fulham on April 11, the same date that PSG's clash with Lens had originally been penciled in.