Historic promotion sealed despite pitch invasion chaos
The deciding match of the 34th and final Ligue 2 matchday was prematurely halted by the referee following a pitch invasion by fans, who released flares in protest after Le Mans scored their second goal in stoppage time.
Promotion confirmed alongside Troyes, relegation for Bastia
Le Mans FC celebrated a historic promotion to Ligue 1, marking their return to France’s top flight after a 16-year absence. The club’s president, Thierry Gomez, hailed the achievement as a “collective victory,” emphasizing the team’s resilience despite the challenges ahead. “This is a win for the entire club, a triumph built together,” he stated. “The road to Ligue 1 is paved with hard work, and we’re ready for the challenge.”
Disciplinary action against Bastia following pitch invasion
The French Football League (LFP) took swift disciplinary action against Bastia, imposing a two-match ban and a suspended home game behind closed doors. The ruling came as investigations were already underway following the incident, which mirrored a previous flare-related sanction in December that cost Bastia a forfeited win against Red Star.
The chaotic finale saw Le Mans’ promotion officially validated on Wednesday, even as celebrations began spontaneously on Saturday night. Players rejoiced in their locker rooms before taking the celebrations to the training center, where fans gathered in the early hours to welcome the team’s return to Ligue 1. This marks Le Mans’ second consecutive promotion, climbing from the National league in the 2024-2025 season to Ligue 1 in just two years.
The Red Star match in December had already set a precedent, with Bastia losing the game on administrative grounds due to fan misconduct. Now, their relegation to Ligue 3 was finalized, leaving them as the penultimate team to drop to the third tier.