Ligue 1 relegation to remain at three teams after court ruling

France's highest administrative court has provisionally upheld the national football federation's decision to keep the number of teams relegated from the top league to three.

PARIS (AP) — France's highest administrative court has provisionally upheld the national football federation's decision to keep the number of teams relegated from the top league to three.

Last month, the French federation opposed the league's decision to reduce the number of relegated teams to two, prompting league officials to ask the Conseil d'Etat to suspend the federation's decision.

The court rejected the league's request on Friday on the grounds that there was no need for an emergency ruling and said it will consider the merits of the case at a later date.

A majority of top clubs are supporting the league's project, arguing that it will bring more financial stability to the elite teams.

French league president Frederic Thiriez rued the court's decision, saying: "It's a shame, because uncertainty remains."