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28 March 2024

Beckham gets red card as PSG march on

David Beckham of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Barcelona at Nou Camp on April 10, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain. (GETTY)

Published
By Reuters

David Beckham picked up a straight red card and Paris St Germain finished with nine men but they continued their march towards a first French league title in 19 years with a chaotic 1-0 win at Evian Thonon Gaillard on Sunday.

Javier Pastore scored the only goal five minutes into the second half to put leaders PSG on 73 points, nine ahead of second-placed Olympique Marseille with four matches left.

Beckham, who came on as a second-half substitute, was shown a straight red for a foul on Youssef Adnane two minutes into stoppage time after Marco Verratti had been sent off in the 80th when he picked up his second yellow card.

A mass brawl erupted after the final whistle and Evian's Saber Khlifa was shown a straight red card by referee Olivier Thual, who also asked for PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu to join him back on the pitch.

In a surreal scene, Sirigu was walking back towards the field but made a u-turn after being ordered to by a PSG representative.

It was not clear yet whether Sirigu was to be handed a red card.

"This kind of thing happens in a football game, tempers flared a little bit, that's all," PSG defender Christophe Jallet told French television Canal Plus.

PSG, however, will be crowned champions for the first time since 1994 next Sunday if they get more points against Valenciennes at home than OM pick up against Bastia at the Stade Velodrome.

Olympique Lyon stayed third on 60 points after Yoann Gourcuff's second-half strike salvaged a 1-1 home draw against arch rivals St Etienne earlier on Sunday.

Evian, who eliminated PSG from the French Cup quarter-finals last week, were not that lucky this time.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's fierce 25-metre shot was boxed away by Bertrand Laquait as PSG got off to a good start.

Evian had their first chance in the eighth minute when Khlifa's dipping shot from the edge of the box went just over Salvatore Sirigu's crossbar. Laquait was at it again to deny Ibrahimovic's soft volley from Maxwell's free kick.

Ezequiel Lavezzi showed another example of his clumsiness by fluffing a crossed shot after collecting a brilliant pass from Ibrahimovic.

Pastore curled a shot from just inside the box past Laquait to put PSG ahead in the 50th minute.

Ibrahimovic and Lavezzi each missed a sitter shortly after the hour as PSG looked close to doubling the tally.

HIGH FOOT

The Sweden striker, in front of an open goal after Marco Verratti's shot had bounced off the bar and into his path, skied his attempt over the bar, while his Argentine team mate inexplicably failed to find the back of the net after dribbling past Laquait.

Salvatore Sirigu then pulled a brilliant save to deny Khlifa's powerful shot and PSG remained under pressure, especially after Verratti was sent off.

The Italian midfielder was shown a second yellow card when he argued with referee Olivier Thual and was yelled at by coach Carlo Ancelotti as he passed by on his way back to the dressing room.

Beckham did not receive the same treatment after he was given his marching orders. The former England captain seemed to be only trying to protect the ball as he clashed with Adnane but Thual judged that his right foot was too high.

Earlier, Lyon stayed on a course for a Champions League spot after avoiding defeat in the derby against St Etienne.

Gourcuff's strike cancelled out Kurt Zouma's first-half opener as Lyon remained two points ahead of fourth-placed St Etienne.

The top two Ligue 1 teams directly qualify for the Champions League group stage while the third-placed side go into the third qualifying round.

St Etienne, who had already secured a Europa League spot by winning the League Cup last weekend, started brightly at Gerland stadium and were rewarded for their efforts just before the half-hour mark when Zouma headed home Yohan Mollo's corner kick.

The goal triggered some anger in the crowd and the game was held up for two minutes as flares were thrown in the stands.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a couple of great chances either side of the break but wasted them with weak shooting.

Lyon increased their pressure in the second half and deservedly drew level on 54 minutes when Gourcuff collected a clever back heel from Clement Grenier and hit a rising shot on the turn past Ruffier.

Nice are still in the mix after a 3-1 home win against bottom club Troyes left them in sixth place three points behind Lyon.

Troyes went ahead on 20 minutes through Mohammed Yattara but Renato Civelli and Dario Cvitanich's goals meant that nice were leading at halftime.

Luigi Bruins wrapped it up 13 minutes from time with a fine low crossed shot.