The Albany Gazette - Bordeaux punished for pitch invasion with costly forfeit

Bordeaux started the match on June 2 third on goal difference behind Metz with only the top two promoted. Rodez were battling to avoid relegation.

The match was halted after 23 minutes when a home fan came onto the pitch and pushed over Rodez player Lucas Buades, who had just put the away team in front.

The referee sent both teams to the dressing room and later abandoned the match.

Bordeaux had wanted their match replayed.

In response, to the verdict the club called the ruling "incomprehensible and disproportionate", and announced they would appeal to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee "as soon as possible".

In addition to ruling that Rodez had won, the disciplinary panel ordered the deduction of a point from Bordeaux from the start of next season and the closure of the Matmut Atlantique stadium's south stand for at least two matches.

Police allege that the fan invaded the pitch and "violently pushed" Buades, who was left concussed according to the referee.

A crowd of over had 40,000 gathered in Bordeaux hoping to see their team secure promotion back to Ligue 1, a year after they were relegated from the top flight.

Le Havre took the second-tier title to clinch a return to Ligue 1 after a 14-year absence. Metz beat Bastia 3-2, a result which left them second, three points ahead of Bordeaux and with a better goal difference.

With a win, Rodez, who occupied the first relegation spot, jump three places. Annecy slip a place and are relegated instead.

(F.Schuster--BBZ)