Swine flu fears see French game postponed

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PARIS, Nov 26, 2009 (AFP) - The French League authorities on Thursday said Saturday's first division match between Montpellier and Monaco has been postponed owing to three Montpellier players contracting swine flu.

The League's competitions commission said it would decide a new date on December 2.

"Owing to a swine flu outbreak in the Montpellier squad the competitions commission has taken the decision to postpone the match between Monaco and Montpellier," the League said in a statement.

Montpellier doctor Rene Raimondi had earlier said three players were believed to have the H1N1 virus and Monaco coach Guy Lacombe pointed to a likely rescheduling to January 13 after the end of year break.

"I have just learned of this. I am not getting too concerned about it - there is nothing we can do," added Lacombe, prior to the League's official statement.

The match between Paris St Germain and Marseille also had to be postponed last month following an outbreak of swine flu at PSG with three players contracting the illness, which has increasingly become a concern in several football leagues, including England and Romania.

"There is a precedent with Marseille-Paris SG, and it will be the case (that a postponement will result) each time three players are affected," Lacombe added, though he expressed some surprise as UEFA has consistently maintained that matches should go ahead as long as clubs have enough fit players to fulfil fixtures.

Lacombe said he expected January 13 to be the spare date for a rescheduling given that neither club has League Cup obligations that week.