PSG declared French league champion as season ends early

Paris Saint-Germain was declared champion of French soccer league on Thursday after season ended early because of coronavirus pandemic.

anuncement from league followed French government’s decision on Tuesday to call off soccer and rugby seasons in country and end plans to resume.

top two divisions in French soccer had 10 rounds of matches left to play. PSG led second-place Marseille by 12 points and played one game less.

Marseille qualified directly for Champions League while third-place Rennes enters qualifying rounds.

At bottom of standings, last-place Toulouse and 19th-place Amiens were relegated while second-division leader Lorient and second-place Lens were promoted. relegation-promotion playoff between team in 18th place in first division and team in third in second division was scrapped.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas had reportedly argued for a playoff system to complete league season. His team finished in seventh place and missed out on Champions League.

PSG has won nine league titles, moving even with rival Marseille and one behind French record-holder Saint-Étienne. PSG has won all but one championship since 2013, with exception being Monaco’s title in 2017. or titles for PSG were in 1986 and ’94.

PSG striker Kylian Mbappé finished as top scorer for second straight season, although this time he is tied with Monaco forward Wissam Ben Yedder with 18 goals. PSG winger Ángel Di María had most assists with 14, ahead of Monaco forward Islam Slimani with eight.

While PSG has reached Champions League quarterfinals, Lyon was unable to play its second leg against Juventus in Turn after winning 1-0 at home in last 16.

It remains unclear wher Champions League will be completed and where games involving French teams would be played if it does resume.