PARIS – Paris Saint-Germain's trip to Nice in March is set to kick-off at lunchtime to satisfy Asian television demands, the French league (LFP) said on Monday.
The match is being billed as a clash between PSG's Neymar, the world's most expensive player, and controversial Italian striker Mario Balotelli of Nice.
“Thanks to this exceptional (kick-off) time, the match will be broadcast notably during prime time in south-east Asia,” said the LFP.
The Asian market, where the English Premier League is hugely popular, is an important target for the LFP, which opened an office in Beijing a year ago.
A previous plan to broadcast a lunchtime match in December was shelved, though.
Spain's Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona was played at lunchtime on December 23 in order to capture a wider Asian audience, with La Liga president Javier Tebas declaring the move a success.