Paris champions again after Monaco draw

Paris Saint-Germain were confirmed as French champions before kick-off in their 2-1 home loss to Stade Rennais FC on Wednesday after AS Monaco FC were held 1-1 by visitors EA Guingamp.

Before tonight's games Monaco trailed Paris by eight points with three games left. Though Dimitar Berbatov scored on 77 minutes, Guingamp substitute Fatih Atıklevelled for the relegation-threatened Coupe de France winners Guingamp with five minutes to go and they held on despite a late red card for Moustapha Diallo.

That confirmed Paris as champions for the second year running and fourth time overall; and just as well considering the result at Parc des Princes against the side beaten in the cup final on Saturday, the reason for these games being delayed to midweek. Ezequiel Lavezzi did put Paris ahead early on with a low shot but Foued Kadir levelled midway through the first half and not long after Paul-Georges Ntep's free-kick proved the winner.

"It's the result of our hard work," said goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu. "It's sad we did not win today but all dreams are not perfect." Captain Thiago Silva, who will lift the trophy on 17 May, added: "The first 10 months were good but the last month was not good."

Paris will be joined in the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League by Monaco, who cannot be caught by third-placed LOSC Lille. Guingamp are now two points ahead of third-bottom FC Sochaux-Montbéliard while Rennes are four further clear.