A match in the French top flight was abandoned after ultras stormed the pitch in protest of their club’s relegation. Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash between relegated Nantes and Toulouse was suspended with just 22 minutes on the clock after home supporters threw flares and broke through the barriers at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Both sets of players ran down the tunnel while riot police were deployed amid the carnage. Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodzic, in his final game at the club, could be seen standing his ground against the ultras and urged them to get off the pitch.
The police eventually forced the fans to retreat, but referee Stephanie Frappart decided to call the match off nearly 40 minutes after it was first suspended. “The decision to permanently stop the match has been made for security reasons,” Frappart said.
With the score 0-0 at the time of the abandonment, it remains to be seen whether the match will be replayed. Nantes were already relegated coming into their last game of the season while 10th-placed Toulouse can only move up one spot.
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In a statement posted on their website, Nantes commented: “The Yellow and Greens wanted to end the season tonight with a victory at the Beaujoire stadium, for coach Vahid’s last match and for pride, against Toulouse FC.
“However, following the use of pyrotechnics in the stands and a pitch invasion in the 22nd minute (0-0), the authorities and the refereeing team decided to abandon the match.”
France’s Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, described the incident as ‘unacceptable’, saying in a post on X: “I condemn these actions with the utmost firmness and offer my support to the players as well as to the fans who came to experience this moment peacefully.
View 3 ImagesRiot police forced the ultras back into the stands(Image: Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images)
“The definitive interruption of this match, decided by the prefect, was necessary. Such incidents cannot be tolerated.
“I wish to commend the swift intervention of the stadium staff and law enforcement. Everyone must take responsibility to ensure the identification of those responsible for these acts of violence, who must be sanctioned with the utmost severity.”
Halilhodzic, 74, broke down in tears following the chaotic scenes, having received an emotional farewell before kick-off. The Bosnian is set to retire from management after 33 years in coaching which included two spells with Nantes.
View 3 ImagesVahid Halilhodzic is retiring after failing to keep Nantes up (Image: Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images)
During his playing career, Halilhodzic spent five years at Nantes. The ex-forward made 163 appearances and scored 93 goals before moving on to Paris Saint-Germain, where he hung up his boots in 1987.
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