The saga surrounding PSG-Rennes is far from over. While the opening Ligue 1 fixture, initially scheduled for Sunday, August 23 at the Parc des Princes, was ultimately reversed and will be played at Roazhon Park, the LFP must now resolve another issue: where will the return fixture be played?
PSG and Rennes are locked in a dispute. The first match will take place in Brittany on Sunday, but Stade Rennais also wants to play the return fixture at home. The LFP Competitions Commission has therefore summoned Paris Saint-Germain and Stade Rennais to settle the matter. It will notably examine whether the Parisian club fulfilled its obligations regarding the organization of the match initially scheduled in the capital.
PSG-Rennes moved because of the Parc des Princes pitch
PSG were originally due to host Rennes on Sunday, August 23 at 8:45 p.m. to begin their Ligue 1 season. However, the severely deteriorated condition of the Parc des Princes pitch forced a change of plans. Following an inspection, the surface was deemed unable to sufficiently guarantee player safety. With Paris unable to find an available alternative stadium in the capital, Rennes agreed to host the match at Roazhon Park while keeping the original date and kick-off time. However, this emergency solution immediately raised a regulatory question regarding the second meeting between the clubs this season.
Stade Rennais considers Sunday’s game to be an exceptional relocation of the match PSG were supposed to host and therefore believes the return fixture, scheduled for March 2027, should also be played at Roazhon Park. PSG have a completely different interpretation. The Parisian club believes the exceptional circumstances behind the switch must be taken into account and wants to host Rennes at the Parc des Princes for the return fixture. From a regulatory standpoint, reversing Sunday’s match would not automatically mean reversing the return fixture as well.
The LFP will therefore have to settle the dispute between the two clubs. In a letter sent to both teams on Thursday, the league stated that “the Competitions Commission will rule on the consequences of reversing the fixture for the remainder of the schedule.” The August 28 meeting will therefore be important for Paris. Beyond the venue of the return match, the Commission will also examine the circumstances that led to the situation and whether PSG fulfilled its organizational obligations. One week after PSG and Rennes meet on the pitch, their battle could continue before the league authorities.
