Girondins de Bordeaux’s Ligue 1 promotion bid is in jeopardy after their final match of the season was called off on Friday when one of their supporters assaulted Rodez AF goal scorer Lucas Buades.
Bordeaux needed to better Metz’s result to finish second in Ligue 2 and secure promotion to the top flight, but they went behind in the 22nd minute.
As Rodez players celebrated the goal, a supporter entered the pitch and shoved Buades, who fell to the ground. He was later taken off on a stretcher as the referee stopped the game.
Photo: AFP
After the teams went into their dressing rooms, the referee said the match would not resume, adding that Buades had sustained a concussion.
French soccer’s ruling body LFP said that its disciplinary committee would meet on Monday to consider the appropriate action to be taken.
Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez said they would lodge a complaint against the supporter and urged LFP to allow the game to be completed.
“I’d like to see this played out in sporting terms on the pitch, it’s still football,” Lopez told reporters. “We’ll be present at the committee meeting on Monday and we’ll assert all our rights, as well as appealing if need be.”
The situation is complicated, as Metz and Bordeaux were meant to play their matches at the same time.
Metz beat SC Bastia 3-2 to move up to second, sparking wild celebrations and a pitch invasion.
Bordeaux — who are three points behind — now know the goal difference they need to overhaul if the match is replayed.
Only the top two teams will be promoted to Ligue 1 this season, with Le Havre AC sealing promotion after they were crowned champions.
Rodez are fighting to preserve their second-tier status. As things stand, they are 17th, needing at least three points to leapfrog Annecy.
“Resume or replay the match?” Rodez chairman Pierre-Olivier Murat asked. “I’ve never seen matches played after the last day.”
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