Lyon virtually win title

PARIS: Lyon virtually locked up its third consecutive French title despite a 1-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain because top rival Monaco suffered a humiliating loss at home. After Saturday’s round, the two-time champion had 76 points, three more than PSG, while Monaco sat third at 72 points. Paris will need to make up a 14 point goal difference to catch Lyon next week — an unlikely outcome. Monaco suffered an embarrassing 4-1 drubbing against Rennes at home. — AP

Zimbabwe coach to quit

BULAWAYO: Coach Geoff Marsh confirmed that he would not renew his contract with Zimbabwe when it expires in September. Marsh, the former Australian opening batsman, resigned from the job four months ago but it had been kept under wraps by the ZCU until media manager Lovermore Banda revealed it. Marsh initially signed a two-year contract, which was renewed for another year last September. — AP

S Africa salute Mandela

ZURICH: Nelson Mandela had his hands on the World Cup trophy and lifted it as if he had won it. South Africa had won FIFA’s vote to host the championship in 2010 and the former president was saluted by the bidding team’s supporters. After all, he was certainly the star player, even at age 85. But his influence on a bid that took seven years to get — the 2006 World Cup was lost by one vote — was underlined by the way the bid’s supporters saluted him. — AP