For the 2002–03 season, the French Division 1 was renamed as Ligue 1 and was expanded to contain 20 clubs, which played 38 matches against each other, rather than the 34 matches in previous seasons. Lyon won the 2002–03 Ligue 1 season of the French Association Football League with 68 points.
Lyon won Division 1 season 2001/2002 of the French Association Football League with 66 points. The title was decided in the very final game of the season when Lyon defeated erstwhile championship leaders Lens at Stade Gerland. Lyon had to win the match to take the title, and won 3–1, ending Lens's title dream. It was Lyon's first league championship, and it began their record seven successive league titles.
The 2000–01 Ligue 1 season was the 63rd since its establishment. FC Nantes won the French Association Football League for the eighth time with 68 points.
The 1999–2000 Ligue 1 season was the 62nd since its establishment. AS Monaco won the French Association Football League with 65 points.
The 2009–10 Coupe de la Ligue was the 16th edition of France's league cup, organized by the LFP. The defending champions were Ligue 1 club Bordeaux who defeated second division club Vannes 4–0 in the 2009 final. The competition began on 25 July 2009 and the final was held on 27 March 2010 at the Stade de France. The winners of the Coupe de la Ligue will qualify for the third qualifying round of the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League. Ligue 1 club Marseille won the competition by defeating fellow first division club Bordeaux by a score of 3–1 in the final, thus giving them their first trophy since 1992.
Olympique de Marseille had their best season since the bribery affair burst in 1993, reaching the UEFA Cup final and only just being defeated by Bordeaux in the domestic championship. Laurent Blanc, Christophe Dugarry and Fabrizio Ravanelli were among the crucial players in the Marseille resurgence. When those players left, l'OM fell into pieces.
Olympique de Marseille was once again forced to fight for its top-flight survival following a dire season, in which the club almost went bankrupt, despite the expensive sale of Robert Pires to Arsenal. Former Spain national team coach Javier Clemente was sacked following the poor run of results, and his replacement Tomislav Ivić just saved Marseille from relegation.
Olympique de Marseille at least managed to become a midfield team in the 2001-02 French league season. Despite the mid-table mediocrity, l'OM still attracted more than 50.000 spectators on average, helping the clubs' mired economy getting out of the crisis.
Olympique de Marseille almost won the French League for the first time in 11 years, having a remarkable run to third place, having only scored five goals more than it conceded. The most praised player was central defender Daniel Van Buyten, who was able to tighten up the defence, and also helping out with scoring several important goals. Without Marseille's goalscoring woes, it could have sustained a more serious title assault. Therefore it signed late-blooming starlet Didier Drogba from En Avant Guingamp, a move that was set to be among the best financial deals in the clubs' history.
Olympique de Marseille just missed out on Champions League qualification, but recorded 60 league points, an improvement on previous seasons. New signing Franck Ribéry got an international breakthrough, being linked to transfers to several European top clubs and being instrumental in France reaching the final of the World Cup. In spite of all rumours, Ribéry would stay at the club for a further season. That did not apply to manager Jean Fernandez, who left for Auxerre at the end of the season.
During the 1999–2000 French football season, AS Monaco FC competed in the French Ligue 1, winning the title by seven points over nearest challengers Paris Saint-Germain.
The 2002–03 season was the 104th season in the existence of Olympique Lyonnais and the club's 14th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. They participated in the Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue, the Trophée des Champions, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.
The 2002–03 season was the 99th season in the existence of OGC Nice and the club's first season back in the top-flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Nice also participated in the editions of the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue during this season.
The 2002–03 season was RC Lens's 97th season in existence and the club's 12th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Lens participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
The 2001–02 season was the 90th season in the history of En Avant de Guingamp and the club's second consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Guingamp participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
The 2002–03 season was the 91st season in the history of En Avant de Guingamp and the club's third consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Guingamp participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue.
The 2001–02 season was the 58th season in the history of FC Nantes Atlantique and the club's 40th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Nantes participated in this season's editions of the Coupe de France.
The 1999–2000 season was Montpellier Hérault Sport Club's 81st season in existence and the club's 13th consecutive season in the top flight of French football. In addition to the domestic league, Montpellier participated in this season's edition of the Coupe de France. The season covered the period from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000.
