PARIS, May 20: A Ligue 1 match at relegated Nantes was stopped on Saturday when angry fans invaded the pitch.

Nantes, who are last in the table and certain to drop after a record 44 consecutive years in the top flight, were being held to a 0-0 draw by Toulouse with less than 10 minutes left when fans descended on to the pitch, forcing the referee to stop the game.

The match did not resume, which means the French Professional League (LFP) will now make a ruling. It is expected to give Toulouse the points.

“It's always sad when something like that happens,” Toulouse coach Elie Baup told reporters. “Normally we should be declared 3-0 winners. That's the rule.”

Around 1,000 fans had marched near the Beaujoire stadium before the game asking for the club's bosses to step down.

Eight-times champions Nantes had not left the top flight since being promoted in 1963.—Reuters