Montpellier has won the French Ligue 1 after a thrilling final day where they emerged victorious ahead of second-placed PSG after a 2-1 win at AJ Auxerre on Sunday.
The Southern France club clinched their first ever top flight title by three points from PSG, who did all they could to keep alive their title hopes with a 2-1 win elsewhere against Lorient.
Montpellier had gone behind against relegated Auxerre, when Olivier Kapo scored on 21 minutes before John Utaka’s double guided Rene Girard’s side to the title, despite numerous delays due to crowd protests.
In the end, the crowd trouble meant the Montpellier game, where they only needed a draw, was roughly 20 minutes behind the rest, ensuring a tense finale until Utaka’s second goal settled the nerves.
“I think it’s deserved,” Girard said. “It was a huge fight right until the end. Looking at the number of points, you have to say that the three teams at the top (Montpellier, PSG and Lille) have had extraordinary seasons.”
Elsewhere, runners-up PSG were left disappointed and boss Carlo Ancelotti expressed that but praised Montpellier too.
“I’m disappointed that we haven’t won the title but the team has done some good work this season, even though we’ve had difficulties in certain matches,” said Ancelotti. “Montpellier had a great season, as did PSG, and it’s good to be in the Champions League because it’s a strong league.”