The highly anticipated Ligue 1 match between arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain has been postponed, disappointing French football fans worldwide.

The decision was made due to severe weather warnings in the south of France, leading to the cancellation of the fixture just hours before it was set to begin.

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The match, the fifth round of the current season, was originally scheduled for this Sunday at 8:45pm local time (12:45 am Bangladesh time) at the iconic Velodrome stadium in Marseille’s city center.

However, officials called off the game on Sunday afternoon after the French league, Ligue 1, issued a formal announcement following the severe weather alert.

The Bouches-du-Rhône region, where Marseille is located, has been placed on an orange alert for heavy storms, flash flooding, and thunderstorms. According to police chiefs in the department, a significant risk of flooding exists in and around the 65,000-seat stadium, making it unsafe for both players and spectators.

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Nicknamed “Le Classique,” the fixture is one of the most significant events on the top-flight football calendar, symbolizing the fierce rivalry between the two clubs and their respective cities. The postponement is a missed opportunity for Marseille, who were hoping to narrow their point deficit against the visiting team, despite what has been a less-than-ideal start to their season.

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In contrast, Luis Enrique’s PSG side has enjoyed a flawless start, winning all four of their games to sit at the top of the Ligue 1 table with 12 points. Marseille, with two wins and two losses, currently lies in seventh place with six points.

The match has been officially rescheduled for this Monday, September 22, with kickoff set for 8:00 PM local time.