Storm delays Marseille vs PSG with match set to clash with Ballon d’Or ceremony
Ousmane Dembele is a heavy favourite to pick up the coveted award.
The highly anticipated Ligue 1 showdown between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain has been called off after adverse weather warnings were issued in southern France.
The game, set to take place at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday evening with a 20:45 local time (19:45 BST) kick-off, was cancelled following forecasts of heavy downpours and thunderstorms in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur (PACA) region.
Local authorities have raised the alarm to orange status, citing serious concerns for public safety.
“Rainfall could reach 70 to 90mm in some areas and locally 120mm in a few hours,” the PACA prefect confirmed.
Officials highlighted that the predicted intensity of the storm between 19:00 and 22:00 made it unsafe to stage the fixture with tens of thousands of supporters expected in attendance.
Neither Marseille nor PSG have released an official statement, though it has been confirmed that the match will take place on Monday evening instead.
It means it will also clash with the Ballon d’Or ceremony, which takes place in Paris on the same evening.
PSG star Ousmane Dembele is the favourite to land the prestigious award, although he currently has a hamstring injury, so he could still attend.
PSG, who are the defending champions, currently lead Ligue 1 after winning all four of their opening fixtures. Marseille sit eighth, having collected two victories and suffered two defeats so far this season.