Rain threat creates chaos as Marseille-PSG postponement clashes with Ballon d'Or gala

Sunday's highly anticipated match between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain has been suspended. The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) decided to forecast heavy rainfall in Marseille.

The Bouches-du-Rhône department, home to Marseille, is under an 'orange alert' for heavy rain and potential flooding. The prefecture stated that the rainfall could be 'of high intensity' during the match, which was expected to draw 70,000 fans.

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur prefecture confirmed the postponement, citing 'significant risks of urban run-off' due to the anticipated heavy rain.

While many postponements are routine, this one carries unique implications. LFP regulations, specifically article 548, typically stipulate that a postponed match must be played the following day, weather permitting.

However, the potential rescheduled date coincides with the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. Nine Paris Saint-Germain players are among the 30 finalists, with Ousmane Dembélé highlighted as a prominent contender.

Currently, the LFP has not announced a new date for the fixture between Olympique Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain. While the standard procedure suggests rescheduling for Monday, the conflict with the Ballon d'Or ceremony complicates this.