2011 Coupe de la Ligue final

2011 Coupe de la Ligue final
Event2010–11 Coupe de la Ligue
Marseille Montpellier
Ligue 1 Ligue 1
1 0
Date23 April 2011
VenueStade de France, Saint-Denis
Man of the MatchTaye Taiwo[1]
RefereeAntony Gautier (Nord-Pas-de-Calais)
Attendance78,511
Weather20 °C (68 °F), Partly Cloudy
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The 2011 Coupe de la Ligue final was the 17th final of France's football league cup competition, the Coupe de la Ligue, a football competition for the 44 teams that the Ligue de Football Professionnel manages. The final took place on 23 April 2011 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis and was contested between Marseille and Montpellier.[2] Marseille were the defending champions of the competition and was the fourth club in the competition's history to appear in the final match in back-to-back seasons. The winner was guaranteed a UEFA Europa League place for the 2011–12 season with their appearance being dependent on whether they qualify for the 2011–12 UEFA Champions League. The final and both semi-finals were broadcast live on France 2.[3]

Marseille successfully defended its title after defeating Montpellier 1–0 courtesy of a second half goal from Taye Taiwo. The title resulted in Marseille becoming the first club in Coupe de la Ligue history to repeat as champions.[4][5] For the first time in the competition's history, an official Best Player award was given out following the match. The award is sponsored by l'Institut du cerveau et de la moelle épinière (English: Institute for Brain and Spinal Cord Disorders) and its inaugural winner was the lone goal-scorer Taye Taiwo.[6] The award was presented to the player by France national team manager Laurent Blanc, who serves as an ambassador for the institute.[7]

On 24 April, the Ligue de Football Professionnel announced that it was investigating the Best Player award winner for his actions following the match.[8] The Nigerian defender reportedly made provocative and offensive remarks about the club's Le Classique rivals Paris Saint-Germain while celebrating with Marseille supporters.[9][10] After being condemned for his actions by Marseille's management and its staff and players, Taiwo issued an apology on the club's official website.[11][12]

  1. ^ "Taye Taiwo élu "joueur ICM du match"" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  2. ^ "Montpellier et Marseille en finale!" (in French). French Football Federation. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  3. ^ "La finale en direct sur France 2" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  4. ^ "L'OM conserve son trophée!" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  5. ^ "Taiwo paye sa Coupe!" (in French). RMC Sport. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  6. ^ "Taiwo distingué" (in French). L'Equipe. 23 April 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  7. ^ "Le meilleur joueur du match à l'honneur" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 19 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  8. ^ "Communiqué de la LFP" (in French). Ligue de Football Professionnel. 24 April 2011. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  9. ^ "Taiwo présente ses excuses" (in French). RMC Sport. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  10. ^ "La LFP va enquêter sur Taiwo" (in French). RMC Sport. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  11. ^ "Dassier n'en veut pas à Taiwo" (in French). RMC Sport. 24 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  12. ^ "Les excuses de Taye Taiwo" (in French). Olympique de Marseille. 24 April 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2011.