News Focus
- Sochaux earn promotion to Ligue 2 after four years in lower divisions
- The club sealed their return with a 2-2 draw against Le Puy 43 Auvergne on Friday
- Vincent Hognon’s squad finished second in the Championnat National table
- They were previously demoted in 2023 due to breaches of financial regulations
- The French side last played top-flight football during the 2013-14 season
FC Sochaux-Montbéliard have secured their return to the French second tier. The club confirmed their place in Ligue 2 following a 2-2 result against Le Puy 43 Auvergne last Friday.
The eastern French side will compete in the second division for the first time since the 2022-23 campaign. Their previous spell in that league ended in controversy. Officials demoted the team despite a ninth-place finish because the club broke administrative rules.
Manager Vincent Hognon led his players to a runner-up spot in the Championnat National. They ended the season three points ahead of FC Rouen. The third-placed side must now enter the promotion playoffs.
Sochaux last featured in France’s top division during the 2013-14 term. The club enjoyed success in the 1930s when they won two national titles.
The team nearly achieved a double promotion three years ago. They finished fifth in Ligue 2 during the 2021-22 season and qualified for the playoffs. The side beat Paris FC 2-1 in the opening round. However, they lost to AJ Auxerre on penalties in the semi-final. Auxerre went on to earn promotion that year.