La Liga president Javier Tebas has hit out at Paris Saint-Germain during an interview with L’Équipe, calling for an end to the current status quo in French football.
The uneven power dynamics in French football have once again become a hot topic. As happened last year, PSG have sought to have Ligue 1 games postponed in order to aid their run in the UEFA Champions League. The postponement of their game against FC Nantes earlier this month worked to good effect, with Les Parisiens progressing in the UCL at Chelsea’s expense (8-2).
PSG have made a request to the LFP to do the same for the match against RC Lens next month. Les Sang et Or are just one point behind the reigning European champions in the league, even if the latter have a game in hand. However, PSG are seeking to move that game in order to aid their preparations for their UCL quarter-final against Liverpool.
“The issue at stake is a more fundamental one: that of the respect due to the competition itself,” responded Lens in a statement on Monday. Lens look to avoid a postponement but don’t have carte blanche in the matter. However, generally speaking, Tebas finds Ligue 1 sides too submissive to the desires of the current champions.
“Personally, I note that PSG has a key role in the media, notably through BeIN Sports. I hear what some clubs are saying, but PSG’s power relies on the silence of all of the others,” he began. “PSG have power because others keep quiet. In other words, if PSG have power, it is because most clubs say nothing, because they don’t dare. This dynamic must be broken in French football, in my opinion. That doesn’t mean that PSG won’t remain the best team in France or that they won’t be competitive, but it isn’t necessary to exercise such power.”
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
