Le Mans were leading 2-0 — goals from Florent Colas on 16 minutes and Milan Robin in the 90th minute — when referee Ruddy Buquet stopped the match and sent both teams to the dressing rooms after the flares landed on the pitch in Corsica. Buquet announced an hour later that the game would not restart.
A Ligue de Football Professionnel disciplinary commission will convene within days to rule on the result. Both the Ligue 2 official account and L'Equipe reported that Le Mans' promotion is considered a certainty. Bastia, who face relegation to Ligue 3 regardless of the outcome, cannot benefit from the abandoned result.
Le Mans, who were relegated from Ligue 1 in 2010 and subsequently fell as far as the French third tier, have now won back-to-back promotions to reach the top flight for the first time since their departure. They finished second in Ligue 2 with 62 points, one point behind champions Troyes.
The occasion carried additional resonance for Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who invested in Le Mans in February through NxtPlay Capital — the investment platform he co-founded with Gonzalo Vila. Courtois congratulated the club on Instagram before the disciplinary outcome was confirmed.
The investor group includes tennis legend Novak Djokovic, former Formula One driver Felipe Massa and current F1 driver Kevin Magnussen, all involved through the Outfield fund that acquired the club. Courtois's playing connection to Real Madrid has created added intrigue given his club's turbulent week, but the goalkeeper focused his celebration exclusively on Le Mans.
Saint-Étienne, Red Star and Rodez will compete in the Ligue 2 promotion play-offs. The formal confirmation of Le Mans' promotion is expected within the week.