PSG declared Ligue 1 champions despite early end to season

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Paris Saint-Germain have been awarded the Ligue 1 title even though the season was called off earlier this week due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the league confirmed Thursday.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe effectively ended the 2019-20 campaign Tuesday when he announced sporting events will not return until September. The country’s Professional Football League (LFP) ratified that decision Thursday.

“We have brought an end to the 2019-20 season. PSG win the Ligue 1 title, while Lorient the Ligue 2,” LFP president Nathalie Boy de la Tour said, as translated by Jonathan Johnson of ESPN.

The ruling gives PSG their seventh top-flight title since 2013. The Parisians were 13 points clear atop the table with 11 matches to play when the season was suspended.

Marseille and Rennes also benefit by securing the last two Champions League spots, with the latter going into the qualification rounds. Additionally, Lille and Reims will qualify for the Europa League, while Nice will have a spot in the competition’s qualifiers.

Amiens and last-place Toulouse will be relegated to Ligue 2, while second-division leaders Lorient and Lens will replace them in France’s top flight.

Ligue 1 joins the Eredivisie as the second major European league to cancel its season. But French football went a different route after the Dutch league decided not to crown a champion this season.

Plans are now being drawn up for the start of the 2020-21 campaign.

“Our aim is to start the 2020-21 season in August – the 22nd or 23rd latest. The date will be decided after consultation with the broadcasters (Mediapro),” LFP director general Didier Quillot said. “If matches behind closed doors are authorized, there is the possibility that domestic cup finals will take place in August.”

He added: “The board validated the end of the championship and the standings. Yes, there will be appeals, but the decisions made are binding.”