Ligue 1’s France favor causes schedule problems

The French League have decided to postpone the 11th round of Ligue 1 fixtures to give France players ample rest ahead of the World Cup play-offs.

France still have one game to play in their qualifying group but cannot catch Serbia in top spot, consigning them to a two-legged play-off.

But the postponement means clubs will now be asked to play more fixtures in December, causing a hectic schedule over the Christmas period.

And it has not gone down too well with Bordeaux chairman Jean-Louis Triaud with Les Girondins having to play six games in less than two weeks.

“I am annoyed,” he told L’Equipe. “We will play three matches away from home between December 8 and 16.

“I agree we have to protect the French team, but why did we play only four times in August? Ligue 1 could have started one week earlier in August and we could finally play with only 18 teams in Le Championnat.

“Deleting the League Cup could also sort out some schedule trouble.”

Lyon coach Claude Puel was also unhappy with the rescheduling when he said: “I don’t complain. It is just postponing overload matches.

“We will have a few days of rest before the end of the Champions League group stage, but on the other hand, we will play more often in December.

“Anyway I already believed August was nonsense.”