LFP refuses to postpone Toulouse-OL, Tolisso and Fonseca speak out

The LFP refused to postpone the Toulouse-OL match scheduled for Saturday at 20:45, which falls between the two Champions League playoff matches that Olympique Lyonnais is disputing against Fenerbahçe (Wednesday, 21:00). A decision that provoked anger from Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso and manager Paulo Fonseca, both present at the pre-match press conference.

Tolisso did not hide his disappointment, pointing out an inconsistency with how other clubs have been treated in the past. “We are disappointed. Obviously, we would have liked this first matchday to be postponed. I understand Toulouse’s position, less so that of the League. Last year, when certain teams needed to reschedule certain matches, even if the opponent didn’t necessarily want to, it was done,” he said, notably referring to the postponement of a Lens-PSG match on April 11 last year, granted between two Champions League quarter-finals.

Fonseca agreed, denouncing a lack of consideration for the European standing of French football. “I am sorry. For me, it is difficult to understand. It is very positive for French football to have an additional representative in the Champions League,” insisted the Portuguese manager.

The Lyon manager went further, calling the decision “selfish” while tempering his criticism of the Toulouse club. “Clearly not everyone wants what is best for French football. The League’s decision is difficult to understand, especially when there have been postponements accepted for others in the past. I can put myself in Toulouse’s position, because it removes an advantage for them, but for the rest… We are living through a very selfish period in general. It is not good.”

Lyon will therefore have to manage significant physical and mental strain over a few days, with a trip to Toulouse on Saturday before facing Fenerbahçe again for the second leg of the Champions League playoff.