Ligue 1’s final match of the season between Nantes and Toulouse at the Stade de la Beaujoire was abandoned Sunday evening after supporters stormed the pitch. The game was halted at the 22-minute mark with the score still blank when pyrotechnics and objects began flying onto the field. Referee Stéphanie Frappart ordered both teams back to the locker rooms as supporters invaded the playing surface.

“You would have noticed, as we did, a pitch invasion accompanied by pyrotechnic activity and objects being thrown. This situation led to officials and both teams returning to the locker rooms,” explained Ligue de Football Professionnel delegate Olivier Chovaux during a post-incident press conference. “The match has been definitively abandoned on the prefect’s decision for safety reasons,” Frappart announced nearly 40 minutes after the initial interruption. The decision was met with cheers from Nantes ultras in the stands before the stadium was fully evacuated following additional smoke bomb detonations.

Nantes coach barely restrained during chaotic scenes

The match official struggled to control the situation, particularly with Nantes coach Vahid Halilhodzic, who remained on the pitch edge berating approaching supporters before being held back by security staff. The Nantes first team, currently 17th in the table, will play next season in Ligue 2 following this disappointing finale to their campaign.

Minister condemns ‘unacceptable’ violence

French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari issued a strong condemnation of the violence: “The scenes of violence that occurred minutes ago during the FC Nantes-Toulouse FC match are unacceptable and have no place in sports or our Republic. I condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms and offer my support to players and supporters who came to enjoy the game peacefully. The prefect’s decision to definitively abandon the match was necessary. Such incidents cannot be tolerated. I commend the rapid intervention of stewards and law enforcement. All parties must take responsibility to identify those responsible for these acts of violence, who will face severe penalties.”