History has been made in the Sarthe region. Four days after securing second place in the 2025-2026 Ligue 2 season through a convincing 2-0 away win against Bastia on Saturday 9 May, Le Mans FC’s promotion to Ligue 1 has been officially confirmed. The Ligue de Football Professionnel’s disciplinary commission validated the match result in a statement released Wednesday 13 May, coinciding with the club president’s announcement to the 24,000 jubilant fans gathered at the Marie Marvingt Stadium.

The outcome of the decisive match had remained uncertain since Saturday evening. Referee Ruddy Buquet had halted play following flares thrown onto the pitch after Le Mans’ second goal in stoppage time. Though he indicated an hour later that the match would not resume, he never blew the final whistle.

In such cases, the disciplinary commission holds authority to determine both the match result and sanctions against the Corsican club, whose supporters disrupted proceedings. SC Bastia has consequently been handed a two-match stadium ban and one suspended match behind closed doors at the Armand-Cesari Stadium.