PSG crowned Ligue 1 champions as season ended amid coronavirus crisis

eneral view of the main entrance of the Parc de Princes stadium a day before the Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, which was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus outbreak, in Paris - Reuters

PARIS (Reuters): Paris St. Germain have been awarded their seventh Ligue 1 title in eight years after the season ended amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the French League (LFP) said on Thursday.

PSG had a comfortable 12-point lead over second-placed Olympique de Marseille when the season was suspended with 10 games left as part of French Government’s measures to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus last month.

With some clubs having played 27 games and others 28, the LFP drew the standings according to a performance index — the number of points per game weighed by head-to-head record.

PSG therefore ended the season on 2.52 points with OM on 2 and third-placed Stade Rennais on 1.79.

Owned by Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), who have splashed more than EUR 1 billion ($1.09 billion) in transfers since 2011, PSG have scored 75 goals and were never in danger against weaker opposition.

They are still on course in the Champions League, having qualified for the quarter-finals last month.

According to the standings, Marseille qualify for next season’s Champions League group stage with Rennes going through a qualification playoff.

Seventh-placed Olympique Lyonnais, who were hoping to finish the season with playoffs, said they would possibly appeal against the LFP’s decision to end the season.

The new season will start on 22-23 August at the latest, probably behind closed doors as popular events are banned until September in France.

PSG are to play against St. Etienne in the Cup final and Olympique Lyonnais in the League Cup final.

The finals’ results could affect who joins fourth-placed Lille in the Europa League, although UEFA regulations state that leagues must say who is qualified by 25 May at the latest.