23.10.2026 17:43
Due to large-scale protests in France, changes were made to the football calendar. The Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, planned to be played on Sunday, October 25, was postponed to Monday, October 26 for security reasons. Following the decision, it drew attention that the Ballon d'Or ceremony, which PSG's star players were expected to attend, coincided with the match on the same day.
Protests organized in France against the high cost of living and high fuel prices have also affected football matches. The match planned to be played between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Lyon in the 8th week of Ligue 1 was postponed by one day in line with the decision taken by the Paris Police Department on security grounds.
PSG-LYON MATCH TO BE PLAYED ON MONDAY
The match in which PSG would host Lyon was planned to start at 20:45 on Sunday, October 25. However, the fact that security forces would be assigned to different locations due to demonstrations expected to be held in Paris led to a change in the match schedule.
The French Professional Football League (LFP) announced that the match will be played on Monday, October 26, at 20:30 French time. In the statement made by the LFP, it was stated that the postponement decision was taken after the Paris Police Department banned the match from being held on Sunday.
THOUSANDS DETAINED IN PROTESTS
It was reported that violent incidents occurred during demonstrations organized by the Yellow Vests movement, supported by students in France, against the high cost of living and high fuel prices. It was stated that approximately 2,500 people were detained in the protests on October 17, and more than 1,000 police, gendarmerie and fire service personnel were injured. It was noted that many businesses were damaged or looted during the demonstrations. Following the incidents, it was decided to impose a partial curfew in some areas, especially Paris, Lille, Lyon, Nice and Marseille.
It was stated that French President Emmanuel Macron also made statements in the coming days aimed at banning non-union demonstrations.
SECURITY MEASURES INCREASED
Security measures were increased in anticipation of new protests on Saturday, October 24. Minister Jean-Didier Berger, who serves at the Ministry of the Interior, announced that security measures would be increased by 20 percent. It was stated that the assignment of a large number of police teams to the demonstrations in Paris was effective in postponing the PSG-Lyon match.
CLASHED WITH THE BALLON D'OR CEREMONY
Moving the PSG-Lyon match to Monday brought another problem for the Paris team. It was noted that the new match date coincided with the same evening as the 2026 Ballon d'Or award ceremony planned to be held in London. While Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha of PSG were expecting awards, the coincidence of the league match on the same day as the star players' participation in the ceremony brought calendar discussions. The Paris club had experienced a similar situation last season. The away match against Marseille, postponed due to heavy rain, was played on the same evening as the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, where Ousmane Dembele won an award.