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Amiens call for fans' help in petition against relegation from Ligue 1

The French government's decision to ban all sporting events until September because of the spread of coronavirus resulted in the Ligue 1 season being finished with most teams having 10 games still to play.

Last week the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis, with Amiens having 0.14 fewer points than Nimes meaning they, along with bottom side Toulouse, were relegated to Ligue 2.

The club revealed they were considering an appeal against their relegation and they have now tried to enlist fans' support with an online petition.

A statement on their website read: "Following the decision to demote Amiens SC to Ligue 2 after only 28 games played out of 38, Amiens SC is launching a petition to seek justice in the face of this decision fraught with consequences that goes against fairness in sport. 

"Amiens SC is asking the Ligue de Football to review its position and make the fairest choice: A Ligue 1 with 22 clubs for the 2020-2021 season. 

"Supporters from Amiens and football lovers, support our initiative that would make football and sport grow."

Seven hours after launching the petition, 3,000 supporters had signed it.

Coronavirus: Amiens against Ligue 1 relegation, could launch appeal

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French prime minister Edouard Philippe said the 2019-20 campaign could not restart due to all sporting events being banned until September amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Amiens were consequently demoted to the second tier along with Toulouse, while Paris Saint-Germain were crowned as champions.

Lorient were awarded the Ligue 2 title and, along with Lens, promotion to the top flight for the 2020-21 season, which it is hoped can get under way behind closed doors on August 22/23.

Amiens president Bernard Joannin called the decision an "injustice" and accused the LFP of "a lack of humanity".

However, Joannin said no action would be taken until minutes from the LFP's board of directors meeting is released and a general assembly is held to decide the format for Ligue 2 and the number of relegations and promotions between it and the third tier.

A statement published by Amiens on Friday said: "This decision is for our club, all our players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and supporters extremely fraught with consequences.

"Pending the publication of the minutes of board of directors' meeting, Amiens reserve the right to contest this decision, since sporting merit, in this particularly difficult period for all, should on the contrary have led the various decision-making bodies not to pronounce any relegation."

Toulouse president Olivier Sadran reportedly wrote to the LFP prior to Thursday's announcement to state his club may also initiate a legal challenge if they were relegated.

Coupe de France finalists Lyon, who sat seventh in the final standings, stated they could launch an appeal because they stand to miss out on continental football next term.

The only other European league to have brought its season to an early end is the Eredivisie, which opted against relegating any teams or crowning a champion.

Coronavirus: Amiens president plans legal action against Ligue 1 relegation

Last month, the Ligue de Football Professionel (LFP) confirmed the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French Prime Minister Edouard Phillipe banned all sporting events in France until September due to the coronavirus pandemic, meaning a restart of the league was not possible.

The decision meant Amiens were relegated alongside Toulouse, with Lorient and Lens promoted from the second tier.

Joannin initially reacted to that announcement by saying Amiens reserved the right to appeal against the decision, labelling the ruling an "injustice" given then they still had 10 games left to play.

The club also urged fans to sign a petition in their bid to "seek justice".

Joannin, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, has now confirmed he plans to take his challenge to the courts and is confident of being successful.

"We are fighting. This fight, we are fighting it against injustice," he said.

"We find this decision contrary to fairness in sport. It is a sanction decision by the League. I repeat, this decision is unfair. A championship is 38 games. 

"We are forced to go to court. The legal arguments are on our side. I am convinced that justice will prove us right. 

"We are determined to uphold sporting fairness, even if it has to go through the courts. It’s time that humanism and justice prevail over other interests."

Coronavirus: Amiens' Ligue 1 relegation 'like a blow from a sword'

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday its decision to finish the 2019-20 season and determine the standings on a points-per-game basis, with the coronavirus pandemic having forced French prime minister Edouard Philippe to ban sporting events until September.

Paris Saint-Germain were awarded the Ligue 1 title, but Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to the second tier and will be replaced by Lorient and Lens for the 2020-21 campaign.

The Eredivisie became the first league to call an end to its season this week, though it crowned no champions and promotion and relegation between the top two tiers was cancelled.

Amiens, Toulouse and Lyon – who finished seventh and will miss out on European football next season for the first time since 1996-97 unless they win the Coupe de France or Champions League – have all stated they could launch legal challenges against the decision.

Elsner was left thoroughly disappointed and assured Amiens will take "all possible recourse" to retain their Ligue 1 status.

"I have never experienced a jolt like this since I've been in football," Elsner told Courrier Picard.

"Generally, you are in control of your own destiny and your performances in football, but I did not expect such a quick decision.

"It's like a blow from a sword, it's cut clean. I'm flabbergasted."

He added: "In sport, the basic principle is that the chances are equal at the start and they are equal at the finish.

"Let the decisions be made on the pitch, but when they aren't we cannot talk about sporting equity.

"[Amiens intend] to fight against this decision with all possible recourse."

Coronavirus: Lyon to take Ligue 1 challenge to Council of State

The administrative court declared a case of that nature could only be challenged before the Council of State and Lyon have already indicated their intention to take the case there.

Lyon criticised the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) for expressing satisfaction at the decision, saying in a statement on Friday that "the administrative tribunal did not rule on the merits of the case".

It added the development in "no way changes the nature and the basis of the action" brought by the club, who were sitting seventh when the season was halted.

The LFP said it "was pleased to learn that the appeals lodged by Olympique Lyonnais, Amiens SC and Toulouse FC were rejected by the summary judge of the Paris administrative court".

"In three orders issued on Friday afternoon, the court ruled that the general decisions taken by the league's board of directors on April 30 could only be challenged before the Council of State," the LFP's statement added.

Lyon were denied European qualification via their league position due to the LFP's move to end the campaign with 10 matches still to play amid the coronavirus pandemic.

They can only secure a place in continental competition in 2020-21 if they win the Coupe de France final, which is yet to be rescheduled, or the Champions League.

Amiens and Toulouse were relegated by the LFP and have requested a 22-team Ligue 1 next season, rather than an increased Ligue 2.

The decision to end the campaign came after French prime minister Edouard Philippe declared there could be no major sporting events, including those behind closed doors, held before September.

Coronavirus: Montpellier president warns clubs over Ligue 1 appeals

He added: "If we finished last… I would have shut my mouth."

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Thursday the final standings had been decided on a points-per-game basis after French prime minister Edouard Philippe banned all sporting events until September due to the coronavirus pandemic.

While Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions, Amiens and Toulouse were relegated to Ligue 2 and are expected to challenge the decision.

Lyon also stated they could launch an appeal because finishing seventh means they need to win the Coupe de France final against PSG or the Champions League in order to avoid a first season without European football since 1996-97.

It is hoped the 2020-21 season will begin on August 22/23 and Nicollin warned clubs against delaying that more than necessary.

"If there are legal challenges in the coming weeks we may not be paid the next TV rights, which could trigger a new crisis," Nicollin told Le Figaro.

"I'm going to be told, 'If you were Toulouse or Amiens you would do it too.' I do know [what I would do]. If we finished last, with a certain decency, I would have shut my mouth.

"I think like that today. With old age maybe I am becoming a big jerk."

He added: "This decision does not solve the problem because in two or three months we may find ourselves in a difficult situation, until we have a vaccine.

"But we are trying everything so that 2020-21 starts in the best possible way.

"2019-20 had to be sacrificed rather than the opposite."

Giving Inter and Liverpool hope: When title races get dramatic

Months of games, so many ups and downs, goals scored and conceded, and yet it can all still come down to the finest margins in the closing minutes of the last day.

To paraphrase Homer Simpson, the winner is showered with praise; the loser is taunted and booed until my throat is sore.

With one matchday left, the title races in both Serie A and the Premier League are going to the final 90 minutes. Milan and Manchester City have their destinies in their own hands, but Inter and Liverpool are looking to respectively pounce on any stumble.

There is the potential for exceptional drama in Italy and England, but can the Nerazzurri and the Reds have much hope of pulling off the improbable and wrestling the respective title from their rivals?

Stats Perform has taken a look at some of the more dramatic title races from recent history that show anything is possible.

Every goal matters

The Eredivisie provided about as tense a finish as you could imagine in 2006-07, with PSV Eindhoven and Ajax unsurprisingly the main characters.

A strong title defence from Ronald Koeman's PSV began with 18 wins from 21 games, and just one defeat.

However, losing four and drawing four of their next 12 games coupled with Ajax winning five of six leading into the final day meant they were neck and neck on points heading into the last game.

Despite being behind on goal difference, a tremendous effort from PSV saw them pip their rivals after an emphatic 5-1 win over Vitesse, while Ajax could only muster a 2-0 victory over Willem II, losing the title by a single goal.

When goals made no difference in LaLiga

In the same season, Real Madrid made a disappointing start in LaLiga, drawing their first game 0-0 with Villarreal at home before going on to lose seven of their first 21 league matches.

After drawing four games in a row between mid-February and mid-March, title hopes seemed to be over for Fabio Capello's men, only for nine wins in 11 games to send them into the final day level on points with Barcelona.

Barca thrashed Gimnastic 5-1 away from home to do their bit, but Madrid eased to a 3-1 win against Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Blaugrana had a significantly better goal difference of +45 compared to Madrid's +26, but that mattered not as the tie-breaker came down to head-to-head record, which was in Los Blancos' favour having beaten Barca 2-0 at home and drawn 3-3 at Camp Nou.

"Agueroooooo!"

Following Sheikh Mansour's takeover of Manchester City in 2008, the club had grown year-on-year and by the 2011-12 season, felt they were ready to mount a challenge at the top of the Premier League.

Roberto Mancini's side started well enough, winning 11 of their first 12 games, but three defeats across December and January dented hopes, while two losses and two draws in a five-game period in March and April all but killed them.

That was until five wins in a row coincided with Manchester United losing to Wigan Athletic and dramatically drawing 4-4 with Everton at Old Trafford.

City beating United on matchday 36 swung things in the Sky Blues' favour, and they went into the last day needing only a win against lowly QPR to seal it.

In typical fashion, they made it hard work for themselves, finding themselves 2-1 down heading towards the 90th minute. United had won 1-0 at Sunderland, which meant City needed two goals or they would have lost the title in agonising fashion.

An Edin Dzeko header made it 2-2, before Mario Balotelli slid in Sergio Aguero for one of the most famous goals in English football history, giving City their first top-flight title since 1969.

The ultimate last day head-to-head

It was like something out of a Hollywood film. All the previous nine LaLiga titles had been won by Clasico giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, but in 2013-14, Atletico Madrid believed they could spoil the party.

Barca were the pacesetters, winning 13 of their first 14 games, while Real Madrid were struggling after losing to both Atletico and Barca.

Diego Simeone led his team to an incredible 16 wins from their first 18 games, but a 0-0 draw with Barca made it look like it would be the tightest of run-ins.

Indeed it was, with Real coming back to the party after an 18-match unbeaten run, though back-to-back defeats to Barca and Sevilla stopped them in their tracks.

Gerardo Martino's Barca were wobbling too, losing three out of seven games between February and March, and then drawing with Getafe and Elche to give Atletico their chance on the final day.

As if it could not have been more dramatic, Atletico went into the last game three points clear, but needing a point to clinch the title, away at Barcelona.

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring for the Blaugrana, but Diego Godin's header handed the crown to Atletico.

When six were not on the beach

You may not be as familiar with this final day, but it stands as one of the most remarkable in the history of the game.

Never mind two or three, there were six clubs that could still claim the Ligue 2 title going into the final round of matches in 2016-17.

Strasbourg, Amiens, Troyes, Lens, Brest and Nimes all in with a shout with one game remaining, all separated by three points at most.

Technically, the drama was not really with the winner of the title, but the other automatic promotion spot that was up for grabs, with Strasbourg able to hold on to top spot following a nervy 2-1 win against Bourg-Peronnas, but it was a 96th-minute strike from Emmanuel Bourgaud sealing a 2-1 win at Stade Reims for Amiens that provided unbelievable drama, taking the aptly named Unicorns from sixth to second.

I did not think I would be advising Inter and Liverpool to go into their games with an "Amiens mindset", but there we are.