Nantes vs Toulouse: match abandoned after pitch invasion, sanctions imposed
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has finalized its decision regarding the abandoned Nantes vs Toulouse match (0-0) during the 34th and final Ligue 1 fixture. The game will not be replayed, and Nantes climbs the standings due to this ruling.
The LFP confirmed on that the abandoned match between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC at the Beaujoire Stadium would not be replayed. The ruling retained the 0-0 score at the 22nd minute, when play was halted, rather than imposing a 3-0 forfeit victory for Nantes—a decision that came as a mild surprise.
The outcome lifts Toulouse to 9th place, displacing Lorient in the standings. With 45 points—matching Lorient’s tally—Toulouse leapfrogs them thanks to a superior goal difference (3 vs. -1). This marks the club’s best-ever finish since RedBird Capital Partners took over ownership. Though Toulouse’s progress remains steady, this decision avoids penalizing them further, as even a 3-0 forfeit would not have closed the gap with Strasbourg (8th, 53 points).
The LFP’s statement was succinct: “After reviewing the investigation report, the Commission has decided to definitively uphold the score recorded on the field at the moment play was definitively suspended (0-0).” The ruling also included sanctions against FC Nantes for the pitch invasion by supporters protesting their relegation.
No sporting sanctions for Toulouse, but Nantes faces closed-door matches
Fans stormed the pitch after fireworks were launched onto the field, forcing an early abandonment. Dozens of masked ultras, primarily from the “Brigade Loire”—the fan group associated with the Loire stand—invaded the pitch in protest over the club’s relegation. The LFP handed down the following penalties: one closed-door match at the Beaujoire Stadium, followed by a two-game closure of the Loire stand. While Nantes begins Ligue 2 without home support, the club avoids more severe sporting sanctions, such as point deductions.
