The final matchday of Ligue 2 took an unexpected turn when referee halted the game indefinitely after spectators invaded the pitch at Armand-Cesari stadium, launching smoke flares in response to Le Mans scoring their second goal in stoppage time.
Le Mans claims Ligue 1 spot alongside Troyes
Le Mans FC celebrated a landmark promotion to Ligue 1, ending a 16-year absence from France’s top flight. The club hailed the achievement as a “historic milestone, brimming with emotion and pride.”
Club president outlines ambitious vision
Club president Thierry Gomez emphasized the collective nature of this triumph, stating, “This promotion to Ligue 1 is a victory for the entire club—a shared success. The road ahead is challenging, but our commitment remains unwavering.”
The French Football League (LFP) imposed strict sanctions on the Corsican club, relegating them to Ligue 3 with two forced matches and one suspended home game played behind closed doors.
Early action against crowd disturbances
Even before the match concluded, authorities launched an expedited investigation into the pitch invasion and flare incident. While the official score remained pending until midweek, Le Mans’ victory was confirmed, securing their top-flight return. Concurrently, Laval’s win as a playoff contender sealed Bastia’s relegation to Ligue 3 as the league’s second-to-last team.
Despite the chaos delaying score approval, Le Mans players wasted no time celebrating. They marked their promotion in the locker room on Saturday evening, followed by a jubilant celebration with fans outside their training center that night.
After dropping to the National league in 2024-25, the club has now achieved back-to-back promotions, returning to Ligue 1 with a remarkable turnaround.
Bastia’s previous forfeit in December—due to a flare striking an opposing player—further compounded their struggles this season.
