Paris Saint-Germain, who face a congested calendar after advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals, have had their request for their French Cup semi-final to be postponed turned down by the FrenchFootball Federation (FFF).
PSG are set to face Saint-Etienne on April 8, a match squeezed between a clash against arch-rivals Marseille three days before and the League Cup final against Bastia five days later.
PSG’s Champions League quarter-final, set for April 14 or 15, adds to an already busy schedule and will be the Ligue 1 giants’ fourth game in just 10 days.
But the FFF said Friday it was impossible to change the date.
“After reviewing the schedule, it turns out there is no available date before May 19, just 11 days ahead of the French Cup final,” the FFF said in a statement.
“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 and “all of the remaining midweek dates are booked for international fixtures”, according to the French federation.
“It is impossible to move the semi-final so close to the final, set for May 30.
“The popularity of the French Cup final dictates a readiness that will take weeks to set up with the authorities.” – Agence France-Presse
