'Unacceptable' - Ligue 1 match abandoned after just 22 minutes as ultras invade pitch

The Ligue 1 clash between Nantes and Toulouse was abandoned after just 22 minutes of play, after ultras stormed the pitch and threw flares.

Supporters of the home side voiced their anger after a disappointing season that saw Nantes relegated from the French top-flight, having won just five of their 33 league matches. It is the first time the club have been relegated since they returned to Ligue 1 back in 2013.

Nantes' relegation had already been confirmed ahead of the match, and supporters wanted to use the final day of the league season as an opportunity to express their anger at the campaign.

With the score still goalless, Nantes fans lit flares in the stands at the Stade de la Beaujoire, before hundreds of ultras forced their way towards the pitch.

Many of the protesters managed to make their way past stadium stewards and reach the field of play, as players from both sides ran down the tunnel to safety. French police quickly got involved to block the tunnel and ensure that all playing staff were protected from the crowds.

There were emotional scenes as Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodzic was held back as he tried to talk to the ultras, with the Bosnian on the verge of tears at what he was seeing. Halilhodzic was taking charge of his final game with the club, having returned for a second spell back in March.

The 74-year-old spent five years at Nantes as a player and also served as their manager between 2018 and 2019. He came out of retirement to try and help the club avoid relegation, but was unable to turn their fortunes around as they finished 17th in the table, one place above Metz.

It wasn't long after the pitch invasion that the ultras were finally cleared, but referee Stephanie Frappart eventually called off the game nearly 40 minutes after the match was first suspended. "The decision to permanently stop the match has been made for security reasons," she said afterwards.

A Nantes club statement read: "The Yellow and Greens wanted to end the season tonight with a victory at the Beaujoire stadium, for coach Vahid's last match and for pride, against Toulouse FC.

"However, following the use of pyrotechnics in the stands and a pitch invasion in the 22nd minute (0-0), the authorities and the refereeing team decided to abandon the match."

Taking to social media afterwards, French Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari, branded the scenes as 'unacceptable':

"I condemn these actions with the utmost firmness and offer my support to the players as well as to the fans who came to experience this moment peacefully," she wrote on social media.

"The definitive interruption of this match, decided by the prefect, was necessary. Such incidents cannot be tolerated.

"I wish to commend the swift intervention of the stadium staff and law enforcement. Everyone must take responsibility to ensure the identification of those responsible for these acts of violence, who must be sanctioned with the utmost severity."

Nantes were relegated to Ligue 2 at the start of the month after a 1-0 defeat to Lens. Their relegation comes just four years after they won the Coupe de France for the fourth time in their history, while they also finished runners-up in the competition the following season.