On Tuesday, Ligue 1 became the first of the top five leagues in Europe to officially cancel the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Further details about the league table and how relegation, promotion, and European qualification are still being decided but according to RMC Sport, three options are being discussed by the Professional Football League (LFP): using the table as it was at the halfway point of the season, after the 27th matchday, or as it stands today (most teams have played 28 games while PSG and RC Strasbourg have played 27).
Les trois options étudiées par la LFP pour déterminer le classement final de la Ligue 1. (RMC Sport) pic.twitter.com/w25PEGucOv
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) April 28, 2020
Looking at the graphic above, in all three situations, Paris Saint-Germain are the champions and would qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
FC Nantes would be the big winners if the table from the midway point of the season is used. Currently, Les Canaris are in 13th place but halfway through the season, they were in 5th place and would qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Across the English Channel, Liverpool FC will be keen to see how Ligue 1 decides to conclude the season. If the Premier League follows Ligue 1’s lead, they will be crowned champions for the first time in 30 years given their sizeable lead over second-place Manchester City.
However, in all of these scenarios, teams could be unfairly penalized by relegation or by missing out on European competition due to no fault of their own.
With no 100 percent fair way to conclude the season, the null and void option could the only way to walk away from the 2019-20 season without hurting anyone’s feelings. If Ligue 1 goes this route and sets the example, others may decide to follow.
If that were to happen, Liverpool would be denied the title they covet the most in spectacular fashion.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
