News Focus
- Le Mans FC officially promoted to French top flight after disciplinary hearing
- Final day victory against SC Bastia confirmed despite crowd violence
- Club secures second place behind champions Troyes
- Return marks comeback from bankruptcy more than a decade ago
- Famous investors include Real Madrid star and tennis legend
Le Mans FC are back in Ligue 1. The French football authorities have confirmed that the club will compete in the top division next season. This marks their first return to the elite level since 2010.
Their promotion faced a delay. Officials abandoned their final Ligue 2 match against SC Bastia last week. Le Mans were leading two-nil deep into added time. Supporters threw flares and smoke bombs onto the pitch. The referee stopped the game for safety reasons.
This week, the LFP’s Disciplinary Committee made a decision. They awarded the victory to Le Mans. This result guarantees the club second place in the table. Champions Troyes finished above them.
The team has enjoyed an excellent campaign. They only lost four matches throughout the season. This record is better than the champions’ tally. The club has shown great strength after financial troubles thirteen years ago. They went into liquidation in 2010.
High-profile sports stars now own parts of the club. A Brazilian investment fund called Outfield controls the team. Tennis star Novak Djokovic, racing driver Felipe Massa and Formula 1 driver Kevin Magnussen all hold shares. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has also put money into the club through his own investment group.