The Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais has been postponed from Sunday evening to Monday at the request of Paris police, the French soccer league announced on Friday. The original kickoff was scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time at Parc des Princes, located in western Paris, but the game will now begin at 8:30 p.m. on Monday.

The decision to reschedule comes amid heightened security concerns as mass protests are expected across the French capital this weekend. Authorities have warned that police resources are stretched thin due to ongoing civil unrest following widespread demonstrations last week.

The protests, which some have described as France’s worst rioting in years, led to significant damage to public buildings, businesses, and infrastructure in multiple cities. Last Saturday alone, around 550,000 people participated in 110 marches nationwide, expressing grievances over rising living costs and inadequate conditions in schools. Clashes between protesters and police resulted in extensive property destruction and further strained local security forces.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) issued a statement saying it “acknowledges the order issued by the police prefecture prohibiting the staging of the match” on Sunday. The authorities’ directive aims to ease the burden on law enforcement during a weekend crowded with large public events.

Sunday also marks a significant occasion for American football in France, as the National Football League (NFL) is set to hold its first game in Paris. The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in a sold-out contest expected to draw approximately 80,000 spectators. The stadium, situated in the northern suburbs of Paris, is accessible via multiple train stations, including Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, and Châtelet, as well as through subway lines.

Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon, who were tied at the top of Ligue 1 with 14 points after seven matches, had anticipated the encounter as a key fixture in the current season. The postponement shifts their eighth-round meeting to Monday, allowing police to allocate resources more effectively amid the weekend’s planned demonstrations and the large-scale NFL event.