PSG's Ligue 1 visit to Lens postponed to aid Champions League preparations

Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain's visit to second-placed Lens, set for 11 April, has been postponed to 13 May to allow them more time to prepare for their Champions League quarterfinal against Liverpool, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) said on Thursday.

Strasbourg's visit to Brest, scheduled for 12 April, has also been moved to 13 May to help them prepare for their Europa Conference League last-eight clashes with Mainz, the LFP said in a statement.

"These decisions are in line with the board of directors’ clear strategic aim of enabling France to retain its fifth place in the UEFA coefficient rankings, which secures four places in the UEFA Champions League," the LFP said in a statement.

PSG, the reigning European champions, host Liverpool three days before the Lens fixture and travel to Anfield for the second leg on 14 April.

PSG and Lens are separated by one point in Ligue 1, with PSG having a game in hand.

Lens had earlier pushed back against PSG's request.

"It seems to us, in fact, that a worrying sentiment is taking hold: that of a French league gradually being relegated to the status of an adjustment variable at the whim of certain parties' European imperatives," Lens said in a statement on Monday.