Pitch invasions marred two crucial matches on the final day of Ligue 1, with one game abandoned midway through.

The final matchday of France’s top football division was overshadowed by fan unrest, as disturbances erupted at both Nice and Nantes stadiums. Out of ten scheduled games, two were severely disrupted by pitch invasions, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory conclusion to the season.

In Nice, tensions flared as ultras breached security barriers near the end of the fixture against Metz. Riot police intervened to restore order, but the most alarming incident occurred in Nantes.

At the Stade de la Beaujoire, the home side’s relegation to Ligue 2 was compounded by a chaotic scene. Just 22 minutes into the match against Toulouse, dozens of masked supporters stormed the pitch, forcing players to retreat to the locker rooms. The game was ultimately abandoned after 40 minutes of delay.

“A disgrace to football”

Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodžić, who was concluding his tenure at the club, expressed his frustration over the unprecedented disruption. “This is a disgrace. I wanted to go speak to the fans to call a halt, but this is beyond reason. If they’re frustrated, I understand—but not like this. I’ve given everything as a coach and as a person. Unfortunately, the reality is brutal,” he stated.

The French Football League has yet to comment publicly, but an official investigation has been launched. Nantes faces severe repercussions, including potential stadium closures and point deductions for next season’s Ligue 2 campaign—a penalty previously imposed on Saint-Étienne four years ago after similar incidents.