Lionel Messi celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring for Paris Saint-Germain against Lens in their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Reuters
Lionel Messi celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring for Paris Saint-Germain against Lens in their Ligue 1 match at the Parc des Princes on Saturday, April 23, 2022. Reuters
Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar on the pitch after PSG clinch the Ligue 1 title. AFP
Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar on the pitch after PSG clinch the Ligue 1 title. AFP
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar applaud the crowd after PSG clinch the Ligue 1 title. EPA
Kylian Mbappe and Neymar applaud the crowd after PSG clinch the Ligue 1 title. EPA
Lionel Messi on the ball up against Lens defender Massadio Haidara. AFP
Lionel Messi on the ball up against Lens defender Massadio Haidara. AFP
PSG players celebrate after Lionel Messi opened the scoring against Lens. AFP
PSG players celebrate after Lionel Messi opened the scoring against Lens. AFP
Lionel Messi celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring PSG's opening goal against Lens. AP
Lionel Messi celebrates with Marquinhos after scoring PSG's opening goal against Lens. AP
PSG's Neymar, left, and Marquinhos, center, celebrate as Lionel Messi, right, scored the opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
PSG's Neymar, left, and Marquinhos, center, celebrate as Lionel Messi, right, scored the opening goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Lens at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, April 23, 2022. (AP Photo / Michel Euler)
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti during the match against Lens. Reuters
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti during the match against Lens. Reuters
Neymar fights for the ball with Lens defender Jonathan Gradit. AFP
Neymar fights for the ball with Lens defender Jonathan Gradit. AFP
Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball with Lens defenders Christopher Wooh and Cheick Doucoure. AFP
Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball with Lens defenders Christopher Wooh and Cheick Doucoure. AFP
Lionel Messi attempts to ride a challenge from Lens defender Cheick Doucoure. AFP
Lionel Messi attempts to ride a challenge from Lens defender Cheick Doucoure. AFP
Lionel Messi takes a shot on goal during PSG's Ligue 1 match against Lens. AP
Lionel Messi takes a shot on goal during PSG's Ligue 1 match against Lens. AP
PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi, left, swings in a cross as Lens' Ignatius Ganago attempts a block. AP
PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi, left, swings in a cross as Lens' Ignatius Ganago attempts a block. AP
PSG supporters set off flares and wave banners outside Parc des Princes following the match against Lens. Reuters
PSG supporters set off flares and wave banners outside Parc des Princes following the match against Lens. Reuters
Flares are set off outside Parc des Princes after PSG win the Ligue 1 title. Reuters
Flares are set off outside Parc des Princes after PSG win the Ligue 1 title. Reuters
Paris Saint Germain fans with flares outside the stadium during the match against Lens. Reuters
Paris Saint Germain fans with flares outside the stadium during the match against Lens. Reuters
PSG fans set off flares outside the stadium during the match against Lens. Reuters
PSG fans set off flares outside the stadium during the match against Lens. Reuters
Fans set off flares outside the stadium after PSG won the Ligue 1 title. Reuters
Fans set off flares outside the stadium after PSG won the Ligue 1 title. Reuters

Sport

Football

Lionel Messi scores stunner as PSG clinch Ligue 1 title but fan celebrations muted

Verratti baffled by response from supporters after Paris Saint-Germain win eighth title in 10 years

The National

April 24, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed the Ligue 1 title after a 1-1 draw against 10-man Lens on Saturday but celebrations were muted as frustrated fans headed for the Parc des Princes exit immediately after Saturday's final whistle.

Lionel Messi's superb goal was cancelled out by Corentin Jean as PSG moved on to 78 points, 16 ahead of second-placed Marseille who will play their game in hand at Stade de Reims on Sunday.

READ MORE

PSG on cusp of another title, but it will be bittersweet for Pochettino

PSG have now won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles, having only been denied by Monaco in 2017 and Lille last year. It equals the record set by St Etienne, who won 10 top flight titles between 1957 and 1981.

Sealing the Ligue 1 title, however, was not a cause for celebration for many fans who are still frustrated by the club's exit in the last-16 from the Champions League.

PSG were knocked out after squandering a 2-0 aggregate lead in 15 minutes against Real Madrid.

On Saturday, the stadium was empty 10 minutes after the game ended and the players skipped the traditional lap of honour. Some ultra fans had already left the Parc des Princes 15 minutes before the final whistle.

"It's something I don't understand. In football, you win, you lose. We try with all our heart," said PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, the only player to have won eight top flight French titles.

Fans from the Boulogne and Auteuil stands did not show their support once again even though their team had won their four previous games, scoring 16 goals during that run.

PSG were under pressure early on but came to life after 20 minutes when an exchange between Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar almost led to a goal as the Brazilian's low shot from inside the box went just wide.

Achraf Hakimi was denied by Jean-Louis Leca and Mbappe missed two clear chances as the hosts upped the pace, but Lens also threatened through Seko Fofana and Jonathan Clauss.

PSG were then booed by the crowd at halftime.

Supporters of Paris Saint-Germain leave after celebrating their club's 10th Ligue 1 title at the Parc des Princes stadium, in the French capital. AFP
Supporters of Paris Saint-Germain leave after celebrating their club's 10th Ligue 1 title at the Parc des Princes stadium, in the French capital. AFP
Supporters celebrate with flares and flags outside the stadium in Paris. AFP
Supporters celebrate with flares and flags outside the stadium in Paris. AFP
PSG clinched the French Ligue 1 title with a 1-1 draw against Lens. AFP
PSG clinched the French Ligue 1 title with a 1-1 draw against Lens. AFP
Celebrations were muted, as some fans felt the league title was no consolation for yet another Champions League failure. Reuters
Celebrations were muted, as some fans felt the league title was no consolation for yet another Champions League failure. Reuters
Fans hold a French flag with a message that reads "Kylian Mbappe, your shirt is illuminated". AP
Fans hold a French flag with a message that reads "Kylian Mbappe, your shirt is illuminated". AP
PSG have now won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles, having only been denied by Monaco in 2017 and Lille last year. Reuters
PSG have now won eight of the last 10 Ligue 1 titles, having only been denied by Monaco in 2017 and Lille last year. Reuters
Fans celebrate with flares outside the stadium. Reuters
Fans celebrate with flares outside the stadium. Reuters

Lens were reduced to 10 players when Kevin Danso picked up a second yellow card for a rough tackle on Neymar in the 57th minute. On the resulting free kick, Leca had to fully stretch to parry away Messi's attempt.

The Argentine forward finally earned PSG the lead after curling a 25-metre shot into the top corner in the 68th minute after being set up by Neymar.

Part of the crowd chanted Messi's name but ultras from the Auteuil stands left the stadium seven minutes later and missed Lens' equaliser when Jean latched onto a cross by Deiver Machado at the far post to give the visitors a deserved point.

Lens, who had won their three previous games and are still hoping to finish in the top three, are left in seventh place on 54 points, five behind Monaco who beat St Etienne 4-1 away earlier on Saturday.

There were livelier scenes outside the stadium as thousands of fans gathered, setting off flares and waving banners.

SPEC%20SHEET
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The low down on MPS

What is myofascial pain syndrome?

Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (­connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft ­tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and ­sustained posture are the main culprits in developing ­trigger points.

What is myofascial or trigger-point release?

Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle ­sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in ­connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. ­Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.

F1 The Movie

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Rating: 4/5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m

Winner: Maqam, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).

2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m

Winner: Mamia Al Reef, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

3.15pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m

Winner: Jaahiz, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.

3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,000m

Winner: Qanoon, Szczepan Mazur, Irfan Ellahi.

4.15pm: Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Cup Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 1,700m.

Winner: Philosopher, Tadhg O’Shea, Salem bin Ghadayer.

54.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m

Winner: Jap Al Yassoob, Fernando Jara, Irfan Ellahi.

While you're here
While you're here
Long read

Mageed Yahia, director of WFP in UAE: Coronavirus knows no borders, and neither should the response

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

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While you're here
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

HIV on the rise in the region

A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.

New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.

Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.

Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.  

Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.

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Director: ​Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman

Rating: 3.5/5

Updated: April 24, 2022, 9:15 AM`
Paris Saint-GermainLigue 1Lionel Messi