PSG are the current Ligue 1 champions
PSG are the current Ligue 1 champions

Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 cancelled following Edouard Philippe's announcement of no sport in France until September


Ligue 1 has been called off after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced that no sporting events would be allowed in France until September.

When the league returns later this year, it will do so by beginning the 2020/21 campaign.

The Ligue de Football Professionnel are yet to decide what happens in regards to the title, alongside promotion and relegation, with a meeting scheduled for next month.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Philippe stated: "The big sporting affairs cannot occur before September. The 2019/20 football season cannot return."

Paris Saint-Germain currently top the Ligue 1 standings with a 12-point cushion over Marseille in second.

They have won six of the last seven titles in France's top division and will find out in May if they have made it three in a row.

At the other end, Toulouse are bottom and 17 points adrift of safety while they are joined in the drop zone by Amiens, who are ten points above them.

Neymar celebrates his goal against Borussia Dortmund
Neymar celebrates his goal against Borussia Dortmund

There had been hope to resume the season on June 17 and finish the campaign on July 25. However, sporting events will still not be allowed to take place - even behind closed doors.

PSG are already through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and intend to take up their place in the last eight, even if that means playing 'home' games on foreign soil.

A statement from club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, credited to radio station RMC, said: "We respect, of course, the French government decision. In agreement with UEFA we intend to participate in the final rounds of this season's Champions League at the time and place at which it will be organised.

"If it is not possible to play in France, we will play our matches abroad with the assurance that we will place our players and all our staff in the best possible health conditions."

Ligue 1 has become the second major league to end prematurely, after the Dutch FA announced last week that the Eredivisie season has been voided.

Ajax won the league in 2019
Ajax won Eredivisie in 2019

Ajax, who are currently level on points with AZ Alkmaar but ahead on goal difference at the top, have been denied a second consecutive title.

There will also be no promotion to or relegation from the top flight, following an agreement reached over a video conference call between the KNVB and its clubs.

The KNVB had initially planned to resume the season for the top two divisions on June 19, with all games being played behind closed doors.

However, the government announced a three-month extension to the playing ban last week, resulting in the Dutch FA choosing to declare their season over.

As per UEFA's directive for qualification for their European competitions to be decided on "sporting merit", the KNVB has opted to use the league table as it stood when the season was suspended in March.

That means Ajax and AZ Alkmaar go into the Champions League, with Ajax entering at the final stage of qualifying.

Third-placed Feyenoord will qualify for the Europa League group stage while PSV and Willem II head into the second qualifying round for the Europa League, subject to confirmation from UEFA.


Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football content

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS