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French schedule may start late in referee protest

This weekend's matches could all kick off 15 minutes late after the French referees' union threatened to protest over what they see as a lack of respect for their work.

The aim is "to again have a calm and respectful atmosphere towards referees", a statement said.

"Our clubs need better economic visibility in the medium term. Everyone agreed it was necessary to do it quickly," LFP president Frederic Thiriez told reporters after a meeting.

"He's managed a good week of training and he is available," Lyon coach Claude Puel, whose fifth-placed side trail leaders Lille by four points,told reporters.

Olympique Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has defended the champions for their unambitious style of play ahead of Sunday's home game with leaders Lille.

"The important thing in order to be effective, is to not concede many goals. We have to be realistic about what we are capable of doing," he told reporters.

Lille go into the game trying to keep league top scorer Moussa Sow focused after L'Equipe splashed a story on Friday's front page that Paris Saint-Germain want to sign the striker for next season.