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PARIS (Reuters) – Paris St Germain received its seventh Ligue 1 title in eight years after the season ended amid the COVID-19 crisis, the French League (LFP) said Thursday.
PSG had a comfortable 12-point lead over Olympique de Marseille in second place when the season was suspended with 10 games remaining as part of the French government’s measures to stem the spread of the new coronavirus last month.
With some clubs playing 27 games and others 28, the LFP drew the ranking according to a performance index: the number of points per game weighted by the head-to-head record.
Therefore, PSG finished the season with 2.52 points with OM in 2 and Stade Rennais in third place with 1.79.
Owned by Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), which has invested more than a billion euros (£ 866 million) in transfers since 2011, PSG has scored 75 goals and was never in danger against weaker opposition.
They are still ongoing in the Champions League, having qualified for the quarterfinals last month.
According to the classification, Marseille qualifies for the group stage of the Champions League next season with Rennes going through a qualifying tie.
Seventh-ranked Olympique Lyonnais, who hoped to end the season with the playoffs, said he would possibly appeal against the LFP’s decision to end the season.
“Olympique Lyonnais reserves the right to appeal against this decision and claim damages,” OL said in a statement.
The LFP also crowned Lorient as Ligue 2 champions in a conference call after qualifying was frozen after all teams had played 28 games.
“We have decided that there will be two promotions and two relegations,” Didier Quillot, executive director of the French League, said at a press conference. It means that Amiens and Toulouse will be relegated and Lorient and Lens will be promoted.
Lorient had 54 points after losing four of his last five games to Lens in 53, leaving AC Ajaccio (52) and Troyes (51) in third place in Ligue 2.
“There may be appeals, but our decisions are sound,” Quillot added.
“We understand, respect and support the decisions made by the French government to stop the league. Health, as the government has always said, must be a priority for all of us,” said PSG President Nasser al Khelaifi, who dedicated the Title to caregivers involved in the fight against COVID-19, it said in a statement.
“I would like to thank the players, the coach, the sports and medical staff, as well as all the club employees for their great work. This trophy rewards their daily commitment,” he added.
The new season will start from August 22 to 23 at the latest, probably behind closed doors, as popular events are banned until September in France.
“If playing without spectators is allowed, we will try to play the Cup Finals (League Cup and French Cup) in early August,” Quillot said.
PSG will play St Etienne in the Cup Final and Olympique Lyonnais in the League Cup Final.
The final results could affect who joins fourth-place Lille in the Europa League, although UEFA regulations state that leagues must say who is qualified by May 25 at the latest.
The LFP announcement ended weeks of speculation and disputes between club presidents.
“French football did not emerge from this crisis,” said LFP president Nathalie Boy de la Tour.
(Report by Julien Pretot; Christian Radnedge Edition)
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