Montpellier wins maiden title on chaotic final day

PARIS - Agence France-Presse

Montpellier fans celebrate their team winning the French Ligue 1 title for the first time in its history after the team beat Auxerre at the Abbe Deschamps Stadium. AFP photo

Montpellier claimed the first French league title in its history after winning 2-1 at Auxerre on an extraordinary final day of the season on may 20, after a game twice delayed due to protests by the home fans.

Second-placed Paris Saint-Germain did all they could by winning 2-1 at Lorient, and the delays at Auxerre meant that Rene Girard’s side had to endure a nervous wait before their title success was confirmed.

Montpellier finished the season three points clear of PSG in the final standings, which gave the southern club -- 14th in Ligue 1 last season -- their first major honor since the 1990 French Cup.

“I think it’s deserved,” said Montpellier coach Girard amid scenes of jubilation on the pitch at Auxerre following the final whistle.

“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.”

There was no hint of the drama to come when Auxerre broke the deadlock in the 20th minute at Stade Abbe Deschamps, with Olivier Kapo heading home from a corner. A defeat was the only means by which Montpellier could have been denied the title but it equalized in the 32nd minute when John Utaka converted a low right-wing cross from Souleymane Camara.

The Auxerre fans’ protest at their relegation -- which saw them throw tennis balls and toilet rolls onto the pitch -- began at the start of the second period and forced the players to return to the changing rooms.

When play resumed, Montpellier was 19 minutes behind the Lorient-PSG game, and with PSG winning, the leaders were left living on their nerves.

Goalkeeper Geoffrey Jourdren repelled a powerful drive from Delvin N’Dinga before flares thrown by Auxerre’s fans obliged the players to leave the pitch again and led to a second delay lasting around 20 minutes.

With PSG’s players watching on television from Lorient, riot police began to clear the protesting fans from the stand behind the Montpellier goal and play was able to resume. There were still 16 minutes to play, but Utaka calmed the visiting fans’ nerves in the 76th minute when he swivelled to slam home his second goal and take the title to Stade de la Mosson for the very first time.

“I’m disappointed that we haven’t won the title but the team has done some good work this season,” said PSG coach Carlo 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.”