But despite the clashes French Football League president Frederic Thiriez insisted he had no regrets over his decision to postpone the fixture.

BBC: Postponement angers French clubs

The Rugby Football League has asked the French Rugby League Federation to propose a club before 30 September.

BBC: French to play in National League

Houllier was named the new Villa manager on Friday but his commitments as technical director with the French Football Federation mean he is unlikely to take charge of a Premier League game until 26 September when neighbours Wolves visit Villa Park.

BBC: Aston Villa secure Gary McAllister as assistant manager

"What you see is that French football loses good players, all leaving for England, so the Premier League will be above all the other leagues, " Marseille manager Elie Baup told reporters.

CNN: A taxing time for French football?

"From an athletic point of view, I don't think he will add so much to the team but from a media and economic point of view, it's a great move for PSG and for the French league, " said Remi Dumont, a journalist with French football magazine Surface.

WSJ: David Beckham Signs With PSG

Although Qatari businessmen now have a strong foothold in French and Spanish football, they remain without a key base in the English Premier League, which boasts the highest attendance figures in European football.

CNN: SHARE THIS