Paris Saint-Germain (foto: Getty Images)
PSG will begin their Ligue 1 title defence away from the Parc des Princes after extreme heat damaged the pitch and forced their match against Rennes to be relocated.
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Paris Saint-Germain has encountered an unexpected problem before the start of their Ligue 1 title defence. The French champions will be unable to play their opening home match at the Parc des Princes because the pitch has been damaged during the severe heatwave affecting France.
PSG were scheduled to begin the new French championship with a home match against Rennes, but the fixture has now been moved to Brittany.
The decision was made after the condition of the playing surface at the Parc des Princes was assessed and deemed unsuitable for a professional match.
According to the BBC, the French league concluded that the pitch did not meet the required standards, particularly regarding "the safety and physical integrity of the players."
The problem has been linked to the extreme temperatures that have affected large parts of France and caused significant damage to the grass at PSG's home stadium.
As a result, the defending champions will effectively surrender home advantage for their opening match and travel to Rennes instead.
The situation is unusual for one of Europe's biggest clubs, but PSG have already announced plans to solve the problem before their next scheduled home fixture.
The club will replace the damaged grass at the Parc des Princes, with the work expected to be completed before PSG host Monaco on September 4.
PSG acknowledged the disruption created by the late change and expressed understanding towards supporters affected by the decision.
The club stressed that the relocation represents an exceptional situation caused by circumstances surrounding the condition of the pitch.
France is currently dealing with a major heatwave, with approximately half of the country placed under red alert because of extreme temperatures.
In some areas, temperatures have reached approximately 40 degrees Celsius, creating difficult conditions across the country.
Professional football has now also felt the consequences. The Parc des Princes surface has suffered enough damage for authorities to conclude that allowing players to compete on it would create an unacceptable risk.
PSG will therefore start the defence of their Ligue 1 crown in unfamiliar circumstances. Instead of beginning the season in front of their supporters in Paris, the champions will have to face Rennes on their opponent's home ground.
If the planned replacement of the pitch proceeds successfully, PSG should return to the Parc des Princes for the September 4 meeting with Monaco.