Soccer / Football : France : Ligue 1 2012/2013

David Beckham, one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet, will retire from football at the end of the season. The 38-year-old former England captain said he would quit after his final two games with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won a league title this campaign. Beckham's winter move to PSG marked his return to Europe after a six-season spell in Major League Soccer, punctuated by two brief loan stints at Milan. He started his career with Manchester United and also played for Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy, winning titles with all those clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain clinched their first French league title since 1994 by defeating Lyon 1-0. With just two rounds left, PSG have now an unassailable seven-point lead at the top of the standings. This is PSG's first title under Qatar Sports Investments, which took control of the club in the summer of 2011 and spent over €250m on transfers to strengthen the squad.

Marseille secured second place and the group stage of the UEFA Champions League by defeating Toulouse 2-1. Lille stayed in the race for a Champions League spot by routing Reims 3-0 to climb to fourth place with 60 points, three points behind Lyon. Nice, also on 60 points, suffered a major blow in their own quest to finish third as they slumped to a 4-0 loss at Evian.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva will be suspended for the next two games for pushing the referee during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Valenciennes. The Brazilian, who was shown a straight red card, will play no part in the trip to Lyon on Sunday or the visit to Brest the following week. Meanwhile, PSG sporting director Leonardo was suspended until further notice following a further offense on the same official after the match.

Paris Saint-Germain's title hopes were put on hold after a 1-1 draw at home to Valenciennes, meaning Marseille still have a small chance of overtaking their bitter rivals with three games remaining. A win would have all but guaranteed PSG a first title since 1994, and a third overall, but Marseille kept the Ligue 1 title race alive for another week as they claimed a 2-1 win over Bastia. Lyon look more comfortable in the third UEFA Champions League spot after a 3-0 victory over struggling Nancy.

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and midfielder Marco Verratti have been suspended for two games and midfielder David Beckham for one after all were sent off at Evian last weekend. Beckham received a straight red for a dangerous raised foot on Youssef Adnane. Verratti picked up two yellow cards, while Sirigu was red-carded after the final whistle after confronting several players.

Paris Saint-Germain closed in on the French league title with a 1-0 victory at Evian that featured the dismissal of four players, including David Beckham, after the match ended following a mass confrontation. The victory keeps PSG nine points ahead of second-place Marseille with four rounds remaining. Evian are one place above the relegation zone. Marseille beat Lorient 1-0 to keep their slim title hopes alive. Lyon held onto third place after fighting back to earn a 1-1 draw at home to bitter local rivals Saint-Etienne.

Frederic Antonetti will step down as Rennes coach at the end of this season. The 51-year-old's announcement comes just a few days after his side lost the French League Cup final to Saint-Etienne. It is on a nine-game winless streak in all competitions, which includes seven defeats. Rennes sat in fourth place in the French league in January before slipping to the middle of the table.

Jean Fernandez will take over as Montpellier coach next season after Rene Girard's contract was not renewed. Fernandez will sign a two-year deal which will come into effect from July. The 58-year-old has been without a job since parting company with Nancy in January. Fernandez previously coached Auxerre, Marseille, Sochaux and Metz. Girard took charge of Montpellier four years ago and guided them to the league title against all odds last term.