Lens Claims Trophee des Champions Amid LFP Venue Controversy

Lens defeated Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 to claim the Trophee des Champions at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. Florian Thauvin scored the only goal of the match for Lens, securing the trophy for the northern club.

Controversy Over Venue Selection

The French football governing body, LFP, has come under harsh criticism for choosing Lens’ home stadium as the venue, despite regulations requiring a neutral location for this event. This decision gave Lens a significant advantage in what is supposed to be a showcase game played on impartial ground.

Unbalanced Crowd Fuels Backlash

The crowd was overwhelmingly in favor of Lens, with around 95% of the seats occupied by their supporters. Meanwhile, PSG fans were limited to approximately 1,850 tickets in the away section, according to Madein Foot. This created an atmosphere resembling a typical home match for Lens rather than a balanced neutral event.

The LFP also allowed Lens' usual pre-match and half-time entertainment to continue, further emphasizing the home advantage and stirring more disapproval.

Comparison to Previous Edition Highlights LFP's Misstep

The 2023 Trophee des Champions between PSG and Toulouse at Parc des Princes was organized differently, with a strict 50-50 split in crowd allocation to ensure fairness. The latest event’s setup contrasts sharply with that approach, leading to questions about the LFP’s consistency and governance.

This incident follows prior tensions related to a postponed fixture between PSG and Lens, compounding criticism. Both LFP president Vincent Labrune and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi were notably absent from the Stade Bollaert.

What Lies Ahead?

While Lens enjoys lifting the trophy, the controversy surrounding the venue choice overshadows their victory. The LFP faces increasing pressure to rethink its selection process for future editions, especially to uphold fairness in domestic competitions.

• Date: 22 Aug 2026
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