August 8 – The decision to reschedule French Ligue 2 fixtures from Saturday evenings to Friday nights has sparked an increasing backlash, with USL Dunkerque becoming the latest club to voice its concerns.
On Tuesday evening, the club issued a statement condemning the move by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and broadcaster beIN Sports, arguing that the change could adversely affect their season, fan support, and the engagement of their Turkish shareholder, Amissos.
Dunkirk joins a growing number of clubs challenging the timing of the Ligue 2 fixtures, which traditionally took place on Saturdays at 7 pm. The club’s statement highlighted the logistical difficulties this sudden shift imposes, including potential disruptions to matchday preparations and reduced attendance due to the inconvenient scheduling.
The club also emphasised the broader implications of this decision, noting that it could weaken the connection between the team and its supporters, both locally and abroad. This is particularly concerning for Dunkirk given their partnership with Amissos.
As the LFP and beIN Sports push forward with the new schedule, Dunkirk’s protest adds to the mounting pressure on the league authorities to reconsider the decision, which many fear could undermine the competitive and commercial aspects of Ligue 2.
“USL Dunkirk wishes to express its astonishment at the recent decision of the Professional League concerning the programming of matches on Friday evening. This change, announced at the last minute, has provoked lively and legitimate reactions from our supporters and partners, which we fully understand,” the club said in a press release.
“While we are obviously happy that the Professional Football League was able to find an agreement for the broadcast of our beautiful BKT Ligue 2 championship, the information about this change in programming, for which the USL Dunkirk was by no means consulted, arrived only a few days before the start of the season. This does not leave enough time for supporters and partners to organise and adjust their schedule accordingly. We are aware of the impact this can have and share your frustration. As a club, we have always favoured transparency and consultation with our supporters and partners.
“The owner of the club, who is part of an international group, reacted negatively to this situation. This is not only because it becomes extremely difficult for their representatives to be present with the professional team during Ligue 2 BKT matches, but above all because it poses a concrete risk of compromising the planning of the season, thus jeopardising both sports and commercial performance.
“Together, we can find solutions that preserve the very essence of football and respect everyone’s expectations.
“We remain determined to defend your interests and make your voice heard. We will continue to work closely with the authorities to ensure that our matches remain accessible to all. Thanking you again for your unwavering support, we hope to find many of you in the stadiums, whatever the day of the week.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1726290153labto1726290153ofdlr1726290153owedi1726290153sni@g1726290153niwe.1726290153yrrah1726290153