Rain blamed for Lyon's goalless 'write off'

PARIS: Frustrated Ligue 1 leaders Lyon were held to a goalless draw in driving rain by lowly Valenciennes at Stade Gerland on Saturday.

Lyon coach Claude Puel complained he had asked for the game to be postponed but was rebuffed by referee Bruno Coue. "It was dangerous for the players. Luckily they were intelligent enough to avoid injuries. We'll write that game off," Puel told reporters.

Four days after qualifying for the Champions League last 16 thanks to a 2-1 win at Fiorentina, the seven times French champions struggled without suspended captain Juninho and injured Ligue 1 top scorer Karim Benzema.