PARIS ST GERMAIN, wracked by strife within the club, shrugged off the controversy to lift the European Cup Winners' Cup in Brussels last night, beating Rapid Vienna 1-0.

The Parisians, whose coach Luis Fernandez has been sidelined after a rift with the players, dominated the Austrians throughout to lift their first European trophy.

The result, despite the scoreline, was clear cut and sealed on 29 minutes, via defender Bruno N'Gotty. The 25 year old's 30 yard free kick actually deflected off a defender towards goalkeeper Michael Konsel, but he reacted too slowly as the ball crept into the bottom left corner.

The game had begun badly for St Germain. Fernandez, due to stand down at the end of the season and who has clearly lost the confidence of his players, was forced to pull off Brazilian playmaker Rai with an injured ankle after just 12 minutes, Panamanian Julio Cesar Dely Valdes taking his place.

But they still dominated the first period, their best chance of adding to their lead coming one minute before the break. Patrice Loko, however, hesitated when set free on the right by Youri Djorkaeff. When he did cut the ball back towards Dely Valdes, two defenders converged to bundle the ball away.

Dely Valdes himself was to blame for the next wasted opportunity, appearing to slip as he was about to shoot after chesting down a deflection.

Seconds later Djorkaeff broke right through three Rapid Vienna defenders only for his shot to shave the outside of the right post.

Midfielder Vincent Guerin should have made sure for St Germain with three minutes remaining but, sent through with only Konsel to beat, he delayed and allowed the keeper to "smother his shot.