Match abandoned in the last stage of Ligue 1 » Supporters entered the field and threw torches at the technical bench
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Monday, 18 May 2026, 00:24 / Updated Monday, 18 May 2026 00:36
The match between Nantes and Toulouse, in the last stage of Ligue 1, was interrupted in the 22nd minute. Supporters of the home team threw torches, and then invaded the field and went to the technical bench, where they came into conflict with coach Vahid Halilhodzic (74 years old), the cause of the incident being the imminent relegation of the team to Ligue 2.
Stephanie Frappart immediately stopped play and sent the players to the booths, and the match did not resume on the evening of the other final round games.
The Nantes-Toulouse match was abandoned after fans invaded the pitch
Traditionally, the last leg of Ligue 1 played all 9 matches from the same time, but the match between Nantes and Toulouse was interrupted due to the invasion of the fans on the pitch, nervous about the relegation of the team.
Following a crisis cell attended by representatives of both clubs, the prefect of the Loire-Atlantique department and a police official, LFP delegate Olivier Chovaux and match referee Stephanie Frappart announced in a press conference that the match would not be played, according to L'Équipe.
“You found, like us, an invasion of the field by supporters, accompanied by pyrotechnic activities and the throwing of objects. This situation led to the withdrawal of the officials and the two teams to the dressing rooms,” said the League delegate.
“The decision is to stop the match definitively, at the decision of the prefect, for security reasons,” added Frappart, almost 40 minutes after the game was suspended.
The stadium was evacuated after a final series of flares.
The match was halted in the 22nd minute at 0-0 after Nantes fans stormed the pitch after throwing smoke bombs and other objects.
Stephanie Frappart immediately asked the players of both teams to retreat to the dressing rooms, but had difficulty calming Vahid Halilhodzic, the Nantes coach, who remained on the sidelines, berating supporters who approached him, only to be stopped by security staff.
After a few minutes, the Nantes fans returned to the stand, which was secured by numerous gendarmes. Nantes, ranked 17th and penultimate, will play in Ligue 2 next season.
Ligue 1 standings
