Clubs slam 'late' postponement of match

Clubs criticised the French League yesterday after 20 people were injured and 18 arrested in clashes between police and fans following the postponement of a game between Marseille and Paris SG due to H1N1 flu.

The two clubs and local authorities were unhappy that French Professional League (LFP) president Frederic Thiriez had waited until Sunday lunchtime to postpone that evening's match when 2,000 PSG supporters were already on the streets of Marseille.

Several PSG players had been diagnosed with H1N1 flu and the rest of the team were quarantined.

"The decision to postpone the game was taken thoughtlessly and too late," Marseille chairman Jean-Claude Dassier said. Coach Didier Deschamps added that the postponement of the game "was difficult to understand".

PSG chairman Robin Leproux criticised the LFP for having "hastily decided on Saturday that the game should be played".

Soon after the League decision was announced, Marseille and PSG fans clashed near the Vieux Port, in the historical centre, and the main railway station.

Faced with another headache about the new date for the game, the League yesterday turned down Marseille's request to play tomorrow, pointing out that all PSG players had been quarantined for 72 hours.