Ligue 2 Game Abandoned After Fan Attacks Player

Bordeaux's match against Rodez in Ligue 2 was abandoned during the first half after a fan attacked a player. Lucas Buades was assaulted after scoring a goal.

The French Ligue 2 regular season was supposed to conclude on Friday night but one game did not finish.

Bordeaux's home match against Rodez was abandoned during the first half after a fan attacked a player.

Rodez midfielder Lucas Buades was celebrating a goal after scoring to put his team 1-0 up when a fan emerged from the crowd and pushed him to the floor.

Another Rodez player, Wilitty Younoussa, who had been stood next to Buades, also fell over.

But, unlike his teammate, Buades stayed down and was reportedly later taken to hospital.

Referee Nicolas Rainville then decided to abandon the game, stating that Buades had suffered a concussion, seemingly when his head hit the ground.

⚽ FOOTBALL : Grave incident lors du match Bordeaux-Rodez, qui vient d'être définitivement arrêté. Lucas Buades, qui venait d'ouvrir le score pour Rodez, a été agressé par un individu. Le joueur a été évacué à l'hôpital. #FCGBRAF pic.twitter.com/spHWxq7pvf

— Infos Françaises (@InfosFrancaises) June 2, 2023

Rodez midfielder Lucas Buades pictured celebrating a goal against Bordeaux moments before he was pushed to the ground by a fan (not in shot) :: IMAGO/PanoramiC/FedericoPestellini

Rainville said afterwards: "The elements are conclusive, the player cannot resume because [he is] concussed. We have respected the rules, namely that the match will not resume."

Rodez needed to win Friday's game in order to avoid relegation.

If the game is restarted and they fail to win then they will go down to the third tier of French football. If they win or are awarded a victory by default then Annecy will go down instead.

The game also had significant implications at the top of the table with Bordeaux hoping to seal second place and automatic promotion.

Metz now occupy second spot after winning their final fixture of the regular season.

If Bordeaux's game against Rodez eventually continues or is replayed then they will need to win by at least four goals in order to leapfrog Metz.

Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez said: "I'd like to see this played out in sporting terms on the pitch, it's still football.

"We'll be present at the committee meeting on Monday and we'll assert all our rights, as well as appealing if need be."

But Rodez chairman Pierre-Olivier Murat added: "Resume or replay the match? I've never seen matches played after the last day."