Paris Saint-Germain have been forced to move their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season after an exceptional summer heatwave severely damaged the pitch at the Parc des Princes.
The French champions were scheduled to begin their title defence against Rennes in Paris on Sunday, but the fixture has now been reversed and will instead be played in Brittany.
The decision was taken after officials from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) assessed the Parc des Princes surface and concluded that it was not suitable for competitive football.
The LFP said the condition of the pitch did not allow the match to be played under satisfactory conditions, particularly regarding the “safety and physical integrity of the players”.
PSG have confirmed that the damaged playing surface will be replaced ahead of their next scheduled home game against Monaco on September 4.
The club described the situation as exceptional and apologised for the inconvenience caused by the change in venue.
The decision highlights the growing impact of extreme temperatures on football across Europe this summer.
France recorded its hottest average nationwide day on June 24, when temperatures approached 41 degrees Celsius in Paris, and half of the country was placed under a red heat alert.
The extreme heat also had a significant impact on public health. Deaths recorded across France between June 22 and 28 increased by 2,025, almost 30 per cent, while deaths in the Paris region alone rose by 62 per cent during the same period.
The unusually high temperatures have also contributed to wildfires across parts of France and other areas of western Europe.
PSG are not the first major European club to face problems with their playing surface this summer.
Earlier this month, Spanish side Celta Vigo were forced to postpone their La Liga opener against Osasuna after a fungal disease severely affected the pitch at the Estadio de Balaídos.
The fungus reportedly developed after temperatures remained above 25C for more than three weeks.
With extreme weather becoming an increasing challenge for football organisers, the disruptions at PSG and Celta Vigo raise questions about how clubs and leagues will protect playing surfaces — and players — as European summers become hotter.
For PSG, the immediate priority will be restoring the Parc des Princes pitch before their September 4 meeting with Monaco, while their Ligue 1 title defence will now begin away from home against Rennes.
