Two games moved, no complaints
Rennes have had two fixtures rewritten, and Franck Haise refuses to make a fuss about it. The coach spoke on Thursday after protests planned across France forced changes to both of his side’s next matches.
The trip to Nice for round nine of Ligue 1 was due to be played on Saturday, 31 October at 5:15pm. The police prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes asked for a change, and the game at the Allianz Riviera now kicks off on Friday at 7pm. Rennes also lose a day for their Europa League home match against Olympiacos, which moves from 5 November to 4 November because of demonstrations planned for the Thursday.
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“Much more serious” things
Haise was asked whether losing a training session and playing earlier in the day bothered him. It did not. He said the reason behind the changes is the real issue, and that football matters little next to what is behind the protests. He accepted that the Olympiacos switch is awkward for supporters, but pointed out that the alternative was playing the game abroad.
A union-backed call for strikes and demonstrations has been issued for 5 November, which would need a large police presence. That is the day the Europa League tie was supposed to be played.
For Rennes the practical effect is a tighter run into both games. They go to Nice with a day less to prepare, then face a European night 24 hours sooner than planned.
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