Le Mans promotion on hold after Bastia halt, Saint-Étienne in line for play-offs | OneFootball

Le Mans’ return to Ligue 1 is not yet official after their match at Bastia was abandoned while they led 2-0 because flares were thrown onto the pitch. According to L'Équipe, Red Star and Rodez meet on Tuesday, and the winner would face Saint-Étienne on Friday if the Furiani result is validated.

Le Mans last played in the top flight in 2010, fell to the sixth tier and in 2013 even risked disappearance. A week after drawing 1-1 with Reims, they had virtually sealed a second straight promotion in Corsica.

Erwan Colas struck on 16 minutes, turning in after a corner was cleared off the line. After the break Dame Gueye hit the bar on 64. Milan Robin made it 2-0 in added time, then the game was halted and not resumed, with the score still unratified.

A decision could come as early as Sunday, which would also confirm Bastia’s relegation to Ligue 3.

At a packed Geoffroy-Guichard with owner Larry Tanenbaum watching, Saint-Étienne needed a Le Mans slip for automatic promotion and it did not arrive. They thrashed Amiens 5-0, ending a run of three defeats and at least securing third while skipping an initial play-off round.

Joshua Duffus scored twice on 7 and 40 minutes, before Zuriko Davitashvili, Lucas Stassin and Aimen Moueffek netted on 69, 82 and 85. Red Star drew 1-1 with Montpellier, Nicolas Pays equalising on 88, yet kept fourth on goal difference to host at Bauer. Rodez won 2-1 at Annecy and remain unbeaten in 2026.

Source: L'Équipe