Ligue 1’s 17th-placed side Nantes have been sentenced to a partial stadium ban for their relegation showdown against bottom boys Angers on Saturday night. The Loire End, where the most vibrant Nantes fans sit in the Stade de la Beaujoire, will be closed.
The league authorities sentenced Les Canaris to a partial stadium ban due to the use of 38 smoke bombs during Nantes’ 2-0 home loss to Strasbourg on Ligue 1 matchday 34. Nantes had lodged an appeal to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, the highest sporting authority in France, to overrule the League’s decision. According to Ouest-France, the appeal was denied this Thursday morning.
It is a bitter blow for the Pierre Aristouy-led side, who are in need of a win to overtake Auxerre and have a chance of survival. The outlet reports that Nantes had argued that reopening the Loire End would be a guarantee in terms of security. Nantes had indicated that the 6,500 season ticket holders in the Loire End wouldn’t be dispatched to other areas of La Beaujoire and will be refunded.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval
