The 2010–11 Ligue 1 season (known as ''Ligue 1 Orange (telecommunications), Orange'' for sponsorship reasons) was the 73rd since its establishment. Entering the season, Olympique de Marseille, Marseille were the 2009–10 Ligue 1, defending champions. The fixtures were announced on 21 May 2010 and the season began on 7 August and ended on 29 May 2011. The winter break was in effect between 23 December and 15 January 2011. There were three promoted teams from 2009–10 Ligue 2, Ligue 2, replacing the three teams that were relegated from Ligue 1 following the 2009–10 Ligue 1, 2009–10 season. A total of 20 teams currently competes in the league with three clubs suffering relegation to the second division, Ligue 2. All clubs that secured Ligue 1 status for the season were subject to approval by the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion, DNCG before becoming eligible to participate.The DNCG is responsible for overseeing the legal and financial accounts of professional football clubs in France. If clubs operating in French football don't meet the DNCG's expectations, they can face sanctions, such as relegation. In addition, German Sportswear (activewear), sportswear company Puma AG, Puma, whom the Ligue de Football Professionnel share a partnership with, provided a brand new match ball for the new season. Lille clinched the league title on 21 May 2011 with one match to spare after drawing 2–2 with Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Paris Saint-Germain away at the Parc des Princes. The title was the club's third overall and its first in 1953–54 French Division 1, over 57 years. As a result of Lille also winning the Coupe de France 2011 Coupe de France Final, during the season, the club became the third different club in three consecutive seasons to win some form of double (association football), the double in France. In 2008–09 Ligue 1, 2009, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Bordeaux captured the league and league cup double and, 2009–10 Ligue 1, in the following season, Olympique de Marseille, Marseille did the same.

Teams

On 19 April, Stade Malherbe Caen, Caen drew 0–0 with Nîmes Olympique, Nîmes. The draw assured Caen a return to Ligue 1 after falling down to Ligue 2 2008–09 Ligue 1, the previous season. On 30 April, Stade Brestois 29, Brest secured promotion to Ligue 1, for the first time since being administratively relegated in 1990–91 Division 1, 1991, following stalemates in matches involving FC Metz, Metz and Clermont Foot, Clermont. Brest capped the promotion by defeating Tours FC, Tours 2–0 on the same day. On 14 May, on the final day of the Ligue 2 season, AC Arles-Avignon, Arles-Avignon became the last Ligue 2 club to achieve promotion to the first division. The club defeated fourth-place club Clermont 1–0 at home to earn promotion. The club had achieved promotion to Ligue 2 from the third-tier Championnat National the previous season meaning the club has jumped two divisions in just two seasons. Grenoble Foot 38, Grenoble was the first club to suffer relegation to Ligue 2. The club's impending drop occurred on 10 April 2010 following the team's 4–0 defeat to Toulouse FC, Toulouse. On 3 May 2010, both US Boulogne, Boulogne and Le Mans Union Club 72, Le Mans were relegated to Ligue 2 following defeats. Le Mans relegation was confirmed following their 3–2 loss away to AS Nancy, Nancy, while Boulogne suffered relegation after losing 1–0 to AS Saint-Étienne, Saint-Étienne, who both Boulogne and Le Mans were trailing. Boulogne's return to Ligue 2 meant a short-lived stay in the highest division. The club had successfully earned promotion to Ligue 1 the previous year.

Stadia and locations

On 17 May 2010, the Ligue de Football Professionnel announced that, for the first time in French football history, two clubs, FC Lorient, Lorient and AS Nancy, Nancy, would switch the surface of their football pitch from grass to artificial turf. This type of surface is common in North America and Eastern Europe, but is considered rare in Western Europe. Both clubs attributed the switch to weather and ecological problems with severe cold fronts affecting their Regions of France, regions every winter. The switch would, in turn, reduce energy costs and also avoid cancellations of matches due to a frozen pitch. Also, in Lorient's case, a constant Cell growth, proliferation of earthworms onto their pitch over the past two seasons had led to a rapid deterioration of the ground, which has forced the club to spend as much as €2 million to replace it. Both clubs previously toured Russia, Austria, and Norway to become better acclimated with the surface. ^{1Source
As of 26 April 2011}

Personnel and kits

¹ Subject to change during the season.

Managerial changes

League table

Results

Season statistics

Top scorers

Last updated: 29 May 2011
Source
Official Goalscorers' Standings
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Scoring

*First goal of the season: Mevlüt Erdinç for Paris Saint-Germain against Saint-Étienne (''7 August 2010'') *Quickest goal of the season: 58 seconds – Nenê (footballer, born 1981), Nenê for Paris Saint-Germain against Auxerre (''24 October 2010'') *Latest goal in a match in the season: 90+6 minutes – Anthony Modeste (footballer, born 1988), Anthony Modeste for Bordeaux against Nice (''12 September 2010'') *Widest winning margin: 5 goals **Lyon 5–0 Arles-Avignon (''6 March 2011'') **Lille 5–0 Arles-Avignon (''1 May 2011'') *Highest scoring game: 9 goals **Lille 6–3 Lorient (''5 December 2010'') *Most goals scored in a match by a single team: 6 goals – Lille 6–3 Lorient (''5 December 2010'')

Discipline

*Worst overall disciplinary record (1 pt per yellow card, 3 pts per second yellow card/red card): **Montpellier – 98 points (77 yellow & 7 red cards) *Best overall disciplinary record: **Brest – 48 points (48 yellow & 0 red cards) *Most yellow cards (club): **Caen – 80 *Most yellow cards (player): 13 **Renato Civelli (Nice) **Alaixys Romao (Lorient) **Dennis Oliech (Auxerre) *Most red cards (club): 8 **Arles-Avignon **Lyon *Most red cards (player): 2 **Aly Cissokho (Lyon) **Renato Civelli (Nice) **Drissa Diakité (Nice) **Sambou Yatabaré (Caen)

Awards

Monthly

UNFP Player of the Month

Yearly

The nominees for the Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Goal of the Year in Ligue 1. The winners were determined at the annual UNFP Awards, which were held on 22 May. The winners will be displayed in bold.

Player of the Year

Young Player of the Year

Goalkeeper of the Year

Manager of the Year

Team of the Year

Number of teams by region

List of 2010–11 transfers

References

External links

Official site
{{DEFAULTSORT:2010-11 Ligue 1 Ligue 1 seasons 2010–11 in European association football leagues, France 2010–11 in French football, 1