The key facts

  • The Rennes vs Olympiacos match has been moved from 5 to 4 November, kicking off at 16:30.
  • UEFA cites the impossibility of guaranteeing security measures on the day of the general strike.
  • Some Rennes fans have said they will not be able to attend the daytime match.

The match has been moved forward by one day

UEFA has changed the date of the Europa League match between French side Rennes and Greek side Olympiacos. The game, originally scheduled for Thursday, 5 November, will now take place a day earlier, on 4 November, kicking off at 16:30. According to Euronews, the decision was made after French trade unions announced a general strike for 5 November, and the French authorities informed UEFA that the usual security measures around the match in Rennes could not be guaranteed on that day.

Why exactly 16:30

The kick-off time was chosen so that the match would not clash with two Champions League games scheduled for 18:45: Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool and AEK vs Real Madrid. However, it is precisely the early hour that has angered Rennes supporters. Romain, a 33-year-old fan of the club, told Euronews that 'a match at 16:30 on a Wednesday is not easy for anyone': he himself will be able to arrange things with his employer, but not everyone can do that. Another supporter, Quentin, wrote on X that he was furious at having 'paid for a match he will not be able to attend'. Dozens of angry comments appeared under the club's announcement of the rescheduling — ranging from the word 'shame' to accusations of 'disrespect' towards the fans.

Context: the strike and Ligue 1 rescheduling

The general strike on 5 November is part of nationwide protests that began with student demonstrations over conditions in schools. On 17 and 24 October, demonstrations took place across the country: the first, according to Euronews, was accompanied by significant rioting and looting on the fringes of the marches, while the second passed mostly peacefully, with fewer clashes. The strike is already affecting the domestic league as well: the Professional Football League moved the PSG vs Lyon match from 25 October to the following day, and new changes have been announced for the upcoming weekend — Nice will host Rennes on Friday, 30 October, Lyon will play Angers on Sunday, 1 November, and Lorient will face Brest on Monday, 2 November.