Le Mans football club secures historic promotion to Ligue 1

During the final matchday of the Ligue 2 season, officials halted play indefinitely after spectators released smoke bombs onto the pitch at the Armand-Cesari stadium. The disruption followed the second goal by Le Mans players in added time, sparking unrest among the crowd.

The path to promotion

Le Mans FC has clinched promotion to Ligue 1, alongside Troyes AC, after a 16-year absence from France’s top flight. The club celebrated what president Thierry Gomez called a “historic milestone filled with emotion and pride.”

“This promotion is a victory for the entire club—a collective triumph,” Gomez stated. “While a major challenge lies ahead, we remain committed to our path.”

Administrative consequences

The French Football League imposed sanctions on SC Bastia, which was relegated to Ligue 3. The Corsican club faces two suspended matches and one closed-door fixture, following an investigation into the pitch invasion and smoke bomb incident.

Earlier, officials had initiated an urgent review, but the match’s outcome stood: Le Mans secured promotion while Stade Lavallois, the playoff winner, confirmed Bastia’s relegation to the third tier.

Celebrations despite controversy

Despite the delayed official confirmation of the score, Le Mans players celebrated their promotion immediately. Fans gathered outside their training center in the early hours, marking the milestone with unrestrained joy.

After dropping to the National League in the 2024-2025 season, this marks Le Mans’ second consecutive promotion—a remarkable turnaround for the club.

Bastia, already penalized for a similar incident in December, lost their match against Red Star on forfeit after a smoke bomb struck an opponent.