The match for the 34th and final matchday of Ligue 2 was halted permanently by the referee after fans launched smoke flares onto the pitch at the Armand-Cesari stadium. This followed Le Mans’ second goal in stoppage time, sparking the unrest.
Historic promotion for Le Mans
In an official statement, Le Mans FC celebrated what they called a “landmark promotion,” marking a return to the top flight after a 16-year absence from Ligue 1.
“This promotion to Ligue 1 is a victory for the entire club, a collective achievement,” declared club president Thierry Gomez. “A major challenge awaits us, but we remain steadfast in our mission.”
Bastia relegated to Ligue 3
The French Football League (LFP) imposed strict sanctions on the Corsican club, relegating them to the third tier and handing down a two-match ban plus a suspended home game played behind closed doors.
On the same day, an emergency investigation was launched in response to the seriousness of the incidents. While the match’s official score remained unconfirmed until midweek, Le Mans’ victory was ultimately validated, securing their top-flight return. Meanwhile, Laval’s win as a relegation playoff participant confirmed Bastia’s relegation to Ligue 3 as the second-to-last team in the standings.
Despite the chaos preventing immediate score validation, Le Mans players wasted no time celebrating their promotion. They began festivities in the locker rooms on Saturday evening before joining their fans outside the training center under the cover of night.
Le Mans last played in Ligue 1 in 2009 and has now achieved two promotions in as many seasons, having competed in the National league just one year prior.
This isn’t the first time Bastia has faced disciplinary action over fan behavior. In December, the club was penalized with a forfeit in their match against Red Star due to a flare striking an opponent.