Off the wire
• Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, March 14  • Joachim Loew remains Germany coach until 2018  • China hands over more medical supplies to Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone  • Croatia backs up from monetization of highways  • Irish police arrest seven before attempted armed robbery  • Italy public debt rises: central bank  • U.S., Cuba to continue talks on restoring diplomatic ties Monday  • French Ligue 1 standings  • Leading goal scorers of French Ligue 1  • Danish police bust largest doping ever  
You are here: 　 Home

PSG boss "profoundly disappointed" after request to ease fixture congestion turned down

Xinhua, March 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al Khelaifi felt "profoundly disappointed" after their request to postpone their French Cup semifinal has been turned down on Friday.

The defending Ligue 1 champions are set to face first division rivals Saint-Etienne on April 8, a date between their top-flight clash against "half-season champions" Marseille on April 5 and the League Cup final against Bastia on April 11.

What makes it worse is that Les Parisiens' first leg game of Champions League quarterfinals against an unknown side will be on April 14 or 15, adding to an already busy schedule.

"We have noted the unilateral position of the FFF concerning our request to change the date of our Coupe de France semi-final," Al Khelaifi told the club's official website.

"This was an unprecedented request from the Club," he added. "I am profoundly disappointed by the speed with which this decision was made and surprised by the refusal to discuss this matter with the Club."

The Fernch Football Federation, however, said it's impossible to meet the PSG's request.

"After reviewing the schedule, it turns out there is no available date before May 19, just 11 days ahead of the French Cup final," read a statement by the FFF. "Every single weekend is occupied by the Ligue 1, except April 11, which is when Paris Saint-Germain play the League Cup final."

PSG's Ligue 1 showdown against Metz, initially scheduled on April 12, was already moved to April 28 or 29. "It is impossible to move the semi-final so close to the final, set for May 30," said the FFF. "The popularity of the French Cup final dictates a readiness that will take weeks to set up with the authorities."

"We are talking about our players here: it is impossible for them to be in top shape physically with so many matches so close together," responded the Qatari.

"PSG is one of the two remaining representatives of French football in Europe this season. We do everything to be as competitive as possible in every competition we take part in," he said.

"I think it's a shame that the sports ruling body in France forces us to choose between a French domestic title and a European title." Endi