Ligue 1 accept Rennes request to postpone game with Nimes in order to prepare for Arsenal clash

Rennes’ Ligue 1 match with Nimes Olympique has been postponed to allow Julien Stephan’s side the chance to ‘prepare in the best possible conditions’ for their Europa League clash with Arsenal next month.

The French club requested for their league game with Nimes to be moved to give them a greater chance against the Gunners.

Rennes were due to face Bernard Blaquart’s men on March 2, five days before their first leg with Arsenal at Roazhon Park.

However, the LFP accepted the request to postpone the game in a bid to help the French side in their European quest.

The LFP said on Twitter: ‘In order to allow the Stade Rennais to prepare in the best possible conditions its double confrontation against Arsenal in the knockout stages of the Europa League.’

The match with Nimes will now be rescheduled for a later date which is yet to be decided. 

Nimes released a statement via the club’s official website apologising to their supporters for the postponement.

The statement read: ‘Following the decision to postpone the match Nimes Olympique and Stade Rennais at a later date, the club wishes to apologise to its supporters for this new report decided by the Professional Football League.

‘This postponement was decided after the holding of the office composed by all the presidents of clubs. This decision was motivated by putting the Rennes in the best possible conditions to play their next Europa League round against Arsenal.

‘The meeting will not be held this weekend. Nimes Olympique will communicate later on the terms of reimbursement.’

In a similar fashion last week, the Dutch FA postponed one of Ajax’s league matches next month to give the club more time to prepare for their key Champions League game against Real Madrid.