PSG asks UEFA to postpone Europa League game due to freezing conditions
Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-German have made a great start to their Europa League campaign. PSG topped their group with 12 points and remained undefeated in the competition. Les Parisiens secured three wins and three draws, which saw them qualify easily for the Round of 32.
PSG are going to play their upcoming Europa League Round of 32 double-header against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-BATE-c39080 Borisov, at Heradzki Stadium. The Belarusian outfit has qualified for the first time in the Europa League and impressed other outfits with their performances. BATE finished second in their Group by acquiring 10 points from their six games.
Les Parisiens will travel to Belarus for their approaching fixture. Paris SG have requested UEFA to change the time of their Europa League round of 32 game or postpone it until March, as the weather conditions are extreme in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belarus-c2849. The French side will start the match early in the evening, but the team management suggest that it will still be too cold to play. The temperature in Belarusian capital is expected to drop to -14 degree Celsius.
Reports suggest that UEFA are considering the request sent by the French outfit. The European football governing body will take a decision in the coming days regarding this game.
According to UEFA regulations, a team has the right to refuse to play the match if the temperature drops to -15 degree Celsius. With temperature already hitting -14, PSG have a good chance of getting their request approved.
It has been seen in the past that team’s from warmer parts of Europe suffer when they travel to play in cold areas. La Liga giants, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Russia-c2991, drawing both of their away fixtures.
Juventus were also stumbled into the Knockout stages of the Champions League when they played in the cold of Belarus in 2008; as they were held to a goalless draw by BATE. Juve struggled to play their normal game and freezing conditions added more to their misery, as they never really threatened the home side.
Les Parisiens were tempted to appeal to UEFA in the wake of these results, as the French side knows the importance of their Europa League encounter. Furthermore, even with players wearing protective gear, extreme weather conditions significantly increases the risk of a serious injuries happening. With teams often complaining about the unfair advantage the conditions provide to home sides, UEFA will have to take steps in order to maintain the balance of the game.
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