France Ligue 1

FRENCH football chiefs are considering a major change to stop Paris Saint-Germain dominating Ligue 1, according to reports.The capital club have won 11 of the last 13 seasons after becoming one of Europe’s top forces.French football chiefs are looking to end PSG’s Ligue 1 domination with a major changeCredit: GettyThis season has seen them go 19 points clear of second-place Marseille with one game remaining.And with stars like Ousmane Dembele shining bright under Luis Enrique, PSG’s dominant era does not look like ending any time soon.They are now hoping to crown their achievements with a first-ever Champions League crown in this month’s final against Inter Milan.However, PSG could be set for a new challenge on the domestic front.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to L’Equipe, French football chiefs are considering a major change that would give other teams a chance to get their hands on the Ligue 1 trophy.Instead of the first-placed team winning the title, playoffs would be used to decide the season’s victor.Two semi-finals would take place involving 1st vs 4th, and 2nd vs 3rd.The winners would then meet in a grand final where the prize is the Ligue 1 title.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd chiefs believe that would open the door for the likes of Marseille, Monaco and Lyon to once again get their hands on French football’s top prize.Ligue 1 is also seeing teams like Nice and Strasbourg come to the fore. Arsenal condemn racism in statement after fan filmed making sickening slurs towards PSG supporters in vile videoLille, who won the title in 2021, are also continuing to make waves.It’s reckoned the LFP, French football’s governing body, could also be scrapped for a new governance structure just like the English Premier League.A League Cup could also be resurrected for the first time since 2020 as part of the huge shake-up. More

JOEY BARTON was branded “absolutely embarrassing” by fans after doing a Steve McClaren on French TV.Barton spent one season on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille during the 2012/13 campaign.Joey Barton’s dodgy French accent saw him blasted by fansCredit: Olympique de MarseilleThe Marseille icon did his best impression of Steve McClarenCredit: GettyThe 42-year-old, found guilty of kicking his wife in the head in March, became a fan favourite with 33 appearances in all competitions.And Barton, who last month lost part of his libel case against Eni Aluko, was involved last night as Marseille icons gathered for an in-house legends match at the Velodrome.The likes of Didier Drogba, Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri were all involved.And before kick-off, Barton was interviewed on live French TV over an infamous clash with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Swede played for Marseille’s rivals Paris Saint-Germain at the time and ended up in a scrap with Barton.The Englishman mocked Ibrahimovic with a ‘big nose’ gesture.But as Barton relived the moment, he produced his very own McClaren-esque moment by speaking English in a French accent.Former Three Lions boss McClaren notably spoke with a Dutch twinge while managing FC Twente in 2008.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd Barton could not resist having his own accent on French TV.He said: “It was a big game, Ibrahimovic was very physical. The coach said to me I must defend him.Joey Barton charged after ‘comparing Eni Aluko to Fred & Rose West’ – as he slams ‘Banana Republic’ legal system“Zlatan spoke very badly to me. Everywhere I go Marseille fans speak to me, they don’t remember the football, just the gesture!”Fans at home were quick to react to Barton’s bizarre voice.One said: “Absolutely embarrassing.”Another declared: “How is he a Marseille legend?”One noted: “Says everything about Marseille this.”Another added: “Joe been watching ‘Allo ‘Allo all week.” More

TWO clubs whose stadiums are virtually touching will renew their rivalry next season.It comes after the minnows earned promotion into the top flight – following Jurgen Klopp’s scathing comments.Paris FC will be neighbours with PSG next seasonCredit: AFPThe newly-promoted side move into their new home for the 2025-26 campaignCredit: AFPParis FC confirmed their spot in Ligue 1 next season with a 1-1 draw away at Martigues on Friday.That put them four points clear of Metz who are third and must settle for a promotion play-off spot. And it means Paris FC will be right next door to their enemies, the giants of French football. That is because Paris FC are moving into a new stadium next season which is literally a few yards from Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe two teams’ feud dates back to 1972 when Paris FC split away from Paris Saint-Germain – who themselves were only formed two years earlier when Stade Saint-Germain and Paris FC merged. Paris FC are part of the Red Bull group, with the energy drink company buying a ten per cent stake last year. And the arrival of ex-Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as head of global soccer for Red Bull prompted the stadium move.Klopp felt the atmosphere at the Stade Sebastien Charlety was not good enough – and spearheaded a move to the Stade Jean-Bouin, home of Stade Francais rugby team. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the 19,000-seater ground – smaller than their current home – is directly next to PSG’s own home. The two venues are separated by Rue Claude Farrere.Wayne Rooney and Thierry Henry give their verdict on Arsenal’s defeat to PSGBut PSG will be hoping that is as close as their rivals can get to them next term.Luis Enrique’s Ligue 1 champions will go for a fifth title in a row in 2024-25.And they will be hoping to not only boast the local and national bragging rights – but be kings of Europe, too.PSG go into Wednesday’s second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal leading 1-0. The winners face Barcelona or Inter in Munich’s final. PSG hope to be crowned European champions later this monthCredit: GettyParis FC split from Paris Saint-Germain in 1972Credit: AFP More

THE fierce derby between Saint-Etienne and Lyon was suspended shortly before half-time after a linesman was struck by an object from the crowd.Saint-Etienne had led 1-0 courtesy of Lucas Stassin’s goal when the unsavoury incident occurred.Reports in France suggested that a ‘coin’ had struck the officialThe referee was struck by an object from the crowdReports in France suggested that the match official, named Mehdi Rahmouni, was struck by a “coin” thrown from the crowd at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.Following the incident in the 44th minute, officials decided to take the players off the pitch.Crisis meetings followed between match officials, Ligue 1 delegates, police and representatives from both clubs.It was decided that the match WOULD recommence following a 45-minute delay.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA Ligue 1 official subsequently confirmed the decision – revealing that Rahmouni had taken a painkiller and would be able to continue.They also pointed out that, should any more projectiles be thrown from the crowd, the game would be abandoned.As Lyon players re-emerged from the tunnel, they were met by a chorus of boos from the home crowd.Saint-Etienne is located around 35 miles from Lyon and the two clubs have shared a bitter local rivalry for many years.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe officials decided what to do following the controversial incidentCredit: AFPThe match was played in front of a lively atmosphereCredit: AFPMehdi Rahmouni worked on Euro 2024Credit: AFPLes Vertes were not in Ligue 1 last season, having dropped into the second tier.Ahead of the match, home fans mocked their Lyon counterparts by showing off Manchester United shirts, following the Red Devils’ dramatic comeback win over the French side in the Europa League last Thursday.Ligue 1 match SUSPENDED twice and players rushed down tunnel as plume of smoke engulfs stadium after flares thrownTonight’s game took on great importance, with Lyon knowing that they could climb into the top four with a win.Struggling Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, went into the clash aiming to go level on points with 16th-placed Le Havre as they bid to avoid the drop.Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca watched the match from the stands.The 52-year-old is six weeks into a nine-month touchline ban for angrily confronting referee Benoit Millot during his side’s 2-1 win over Brest on March 2.Following the resumption of the match, Stassin grabbed his second to double Saint-Etienne’s advantage on 67 minutes.Lyon’s US international midfielder Tanner Tessman pulled on back 14 minutes from time, but Les Vertes held firm to secure a vital 2-1 win.Saint-Etienne’s match at Montpellier last month was abandoned due to crowd trouble.Members of the home crowd in the Etang de Thau stand set their stadium on fire by throwing flares after their side went 2-0 down to ten-man Saint-Etienne early in the second half.Read More on The SunPlayers were subsequently sent back to the dressing rooms, before fans were told to evacuate the stadium around half an hour later.A meeting between Ligue 1 officials subsequently decided to award Saint-Etienne a 3-0 victory.Lyon players look on as they wait for smoke from flares set off in the stands to clearCredit: AFPAimen Moueffek battles with Lyon forward Alexandre LacazetteCredit: AFP More

ROBERTO DE ZERBI has faced a player mutiny at Marseille, according to reports.The Italian, 45, took charge of the Ligue 1 giants after leaving Brighton last summer.Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille have endured an awful run of formCredit: SplashMarseille have lost four of their last five gamesCredit: GettyMarseille have experienced a turbulent first season under De Zerbi, going through brilliant highs and extreme lows.And in recent weeks, they have gone way off the boil.Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at relegation-battling Reims made it four losses in five for Marseille.Reports in France claim that Marseille players were subsequently made to stay the night at the club’s training ground, such was their manager’s disgust.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt then emerged that rest days scheduled for Sunday and Monday had also been cancelled.And things reached a boiling point on Monday, when De Zerbi reportedly told the players that he would not be taking training.According to L’Equipe, players were left feeling let down by their coach and refused to train if he was not leading the sessions.This led director of football and former centre-back Medhi Benatia to step in.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe 37-year-old is claimed to have told the squad to “justify the club’s financial investment in them”.Players are said to have not bought Benatia’s reasoning – pointing to his former clubs Bayern Munich and Juventus and asking whether De Zerbi’s antics would be put up with by those European giants.’People like you will be happy’ – Postecoglou snaps at Sky Sports reporter in ‘generational meltdown’ after Chelsea lossThe Marseille boss is also said to have made a brutal jibe at defender Pol Lirola after last Saturday’s match.Lirola, 27, has been at Marseille since 2021 but prior to this season had spent the last two years out on loan.Following the defeat at Reims, during which Lirola was hooked at half-time, De Zerbi is claimed to have said to him: “Nobody wanted you at this club last summer, I was the only one to believe in you, and you thank me by defending like that?”Having entered the season with lofty ambitions Marseille have fallen to third in the Ligue 1 table, a staggering 22 points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.They are now just four points above seventh and could face missing out on European football, should their recent slump continue.Marseille will host mid-table Toulouse this Sunday, desperate for three points to get back on track.Speaking in his pre-match press conference, De Zerbi said: “I am very happy to be manager of Marseille, because I love controversy.”Read More on The SunForward Neal Maupay added: “It was never a question of not training. We cleared the air.”Sometimes it’s good to take a slap in the face and wake up.”Marseille have a huge game against Toulouse on SundayCredit: Rex More

A FOOTBALL team has plumbed new depths – after a SINKHOLE appeared in their pitch during a game.A player even fell in before French side US Vicquoise’s star striker filled it with a load of sand to enable the match to continue.A player went though a sinkhole during an amateur match in FranceCredit: Facebook / A.S IngrandesThe sinkhole brought the match to a haltCredit: Facebook / A.S IngrandesAnother player had to fill it with sand so the game could continueCredit: Facebook / A.S IngrandesBut visiting team Ingrandes went on to win 3-2 despite one of their players partially disappearing.Sunday’s lower-league clash in Vienne, central France, came to a halt as the 4ft deep crater opened up.But Vicquoise striker Sebastien Collet, a builder by trade, drove a digger-load of sand on to the pitch for his team-mates to repair the damage.An Ingrandes spokesman said: “Our team had an unusual experience on Sunday. Our striker fell in the penalty area with no one near him.Read More on Football”We all laughed, but he said there was a hole in the pitch.  We went on to the field and found it.”Thankfully at Vicq there are no problems, just solutions. Their number 10 is a saviour as well as a goalscorer and women’s team coach.”He went home to get a bucketload of sand to fill the hole – and the game restarted 10 minutes later as if nothing had happened.”We thank US Vicquoise for this great moment of fun, and for showing the sort of spirit we’d love to see every weekend.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”Long live amateur football, and life in the country.”Vicquoise director Charly Collet said: “It created some atmosphere during the game, and made everyone laugh.Premier League club move into incredible new home that resembles futurist James Bond villain lair”This has never happened to us before during a match.”But an old guy who was marking out the lines on the pitch has previously fallen into the hole.” More