Olympique Lyonnais resumed training on June 29, focusing on preparation for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, scheduled for August 4 or 5 (first leg) and August 11 (second leg). In the event of success, Paulo Fonseca’s team would face the playoffs within the following fortnight.

Aware of the tight schedule, the club’s leadership submitted a formal request to the LFP to postpone the Ligue 1 opener against Toulouse FC, scheduled for August 22. The request was conditional on Lyon qualifying for the Champions League playoffs. The club emphasized the broader interest of French football, drawing parallels with Paris Saint-Germain’s previous similar requests.

The LFP’s response came swiftly and was negative. The Professional Football League’s Board of Directors, meeting in a virtual session Monday evening, voted against the postponement. One of the primary arguments cited was the impracticality of creating a scheduling gap in the first matchday, especially as Ligue 1+ will now broadcast all fixtures.