Bordeaux to be denied promotion after fan attack on Rodez player

Bordeaux's promotion hopes dashed as fan attack leads to abandoned match and points deduction. Club challenges decision

A fan of Bordeaux (far left) may have cost his club promotion to Ligue 1 after he attacked a Rodez player in their final league game on the 2nd of June. (Photo credit: L'equipe)

Stranger things have happened, but not many would be able to share the same experience with French football giants Bordeaux after the action of one of their fans denied them promotion to the top flight.

Bordeaux got relegated last season from the French Ligue 1 and was well placed to gain promotion through the playoffs, but one of their fans ran to the pitch and attacked a Rodez player, and consequently, the match was abandoned.

A ruling by the governing body in France says the match will not be replayed and a loss will be handed to the former Ligue 1 champions; this ultimately means Bordeaux will not be gaining promotion and will also be docked one point next season.

Bordeaux needed to win the game to guarantee promotion; Lucas Buades gave Rodez the lead, but during the goal celebrations, a Bordeaux fan stepped onto the pitch and pushed the Rodez player to the ground. The referee sent both teams to the dressing room as the player was diagnosed with a concussion.

It was a straight battle between Metz and Bordeaux, and the former would gain promotion after beating Bastia 3-2 on the final day. Unless Bordeaux is able to overturn the committee’s decision, the club would have to do it again next season in Ligue 2.

Also, Bordeaux would have a section of their stadium closed for two games next season if the decision stands. The club released a statement calling the ruling body’s decision "as incomprehensible as it is disproportionate," and we wait to see how things develop.