June 13 – Girondins de Bordeaux’s promotion bid back to France’s top flight has been dashed after their suspended final home league match, halted when a fan attacked a Rodez player, was declared a defeat.
In the match played on June 2, Bordeaux needed to better Metz’s result to finish second and secure promotion but the six-times French champions went behind in the 22nd minute.
As Rodez players celebrated, a supporter entered the pitch and shoved goalscorer Lucas Buades to the ground. He was later taken off on a stretcher as the referee stopped the game. The match did not resume with Buades suffering concussion.
The decision by France’s football authorities (LFP) to hand Rodez the points means Bordeaux will finish third behind Ligue 2 champions Le Havre and Metz, with only the top two teams earning automatic promotion to Ligue 1 this season. The LFP added that Bordeaux would also be deducted one point next season and that the Stade Matmut-Atlantique’s south stand will be closed for a minimum of two matches.
At the bottom of the table, the decision also means Rodez will remain in Ligue 2, with Annecy unfortunate victims and relegated in their place, which seems even harsher.
Bordeaux, who had wanted the game to be replayed, slammed the LFP’s decision, saying it was “as incomprehensible as it is disproportionate, both in terms of the facts of the case and the case law”.
The club added that it would be taking the decision to the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF).
Bordeaux were demoted to the second division after finishing bottom of Ligue 1 in 2022. They were relegated to the third tier due to financial irregularities before the 2022-23 season began, but were reinstated in Ligue 2 after putting together a debt restructuring plan.
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