With COVID-19 causing football campaigns to fall into disarray, it seems a conclusion has been reached in one of Europe’s worst-affected countries.
A halt to football as we know it has now seen: the Dutch Eredivise wavering over indefinite suspension, a glimmer of hope in the German Bundesliga’s continuation, and, of course, the English Premier League without resolution.
Yet, amidst the erring of these countries, it seems the French FA are first to take the plunge into unknown territory.
Belgian Pro League 🇧🇪
Eredivisie 🇳🇱
Ligue 1 🇫🇷All have had their seasons cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic ❌
Who next? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CfIRYOd397
— Goal (@goal) April 28, 2020
The initial report from France arrived just a matter of days ago – the season was to be cancelled.
Fans of 10-point league-leaders Paris were unified in their outrage while a greatly contrasting, 10-points clear at the bottom of the table, Toulouse were celebrating. Les Violets were in disbelief as they faced the prospect of surviving a season in which they had recorded 21 losses in the 28 matches they had played thus far.
Though, following a recent development, their delight looks to have been premature.
PSG will be crowned 2019-20 Ligue 1 champions despite the league being voided, according to L'Equipe 👀
FAO: Liverpool 😉 pic.twitter.com/loUP2k8eo1
— Goal (@goal) April 30, 2020
The Fédération Française de Football have selected Paris as champions elect, casting ripples from Ligue 1 to the rest of the footballing world.
Having not mathematically secured the title in the three-quarters of the season already completed, the decision to hand the league trophy to PSG has been met by much jubilation by the similarly positioned red half of Merseyside:
Liverpool fans watching PSG being awarded the Ligue 1 title 👀 pic.twitter.com/6staDVkZF5
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 30, 2020
And less enthusiasm by others:
It’s been obvious for a long time now that Ligue 1 have been doing everything in their power to hand Liverpool the Premier League.
— SH* (@Sennesation) April 30, 2020
We will have to wait and see how this outcome might affect Liverpool‘s title chances, though the French league may well have given the Premier League table-toppers a sizeable boost in their quest to seal a first league title in 30 painstaking years.
Further details are yet to emerge regarding the fate of the French sides precariously poised at the foot of the table. Though, with champion and European places solidified, it’s difficult to see just how Toulouse and their fellow the relegation candidates will escape the drop.
Ligue 1 is oft criticised for its lack of competition, yet it seems the French league has pipped their peers in the race to conclude their campaign.
