The final match of the Ligue 2 season—matchday 34—was halted indefinitely when smoke bombs were hurled onto the pitch at the Armand-Cesari stadium. Fans reacted furiously after Le Mans scored a second goal in added time, sealing their promotion to the top tier of French football.

Historic promotion for Le Mans

Le Mans FC hailed their return to Ligue 1 as a milestone for the club, marking 16 years since their last appearance in the elite division.

In an official statement, the club described the promotion as “a historic moment filled with emotion and pride.”

The president, Thierry Gomez, emphasized the collective effort behind the achievement: “This promotion to Ligue 1 is a victory for the entire club—everyone contributed.”

Bastia relegated after chaotic finale

The French Football League (LFP) took swift action against Bastia, imposing a two-match ban and a suspended home game behind closed doors. The penalties followed an urgent review after fan disturbances disrupted the match.

Despite the turmoil, the match outcome stood, confirming Le Mans’ promotion while relegating Bastia to Ligue 3—their second consecutive drop in divisions.

Celebrations overshadowed by controversy

Even as officials worked to validate the score, players celebrated with unrestrained joy. On Saturday night, the team marked the occasion in the locker room before heading out to greet supporters outside their training center under the cover of darkness.

Le Mans’ journey from National in 2024-25 to Ligue 1 this season is a remarkable turnaround—one that includes two promotions in just two years.

Bastia, meanwhile, faces further sanctions after a fumigene strike injured an opponent in a December fixture, resulting in a forfeited win against Red Star.