The French high court has blocked Amiens and Toulouse’s relegation from Ligue 1 after the cancelation of the 2019-20 season, Goal reports.
About the early conclusion of the season, the court ruled: “There is no significant question as to the legitimacy of this action [Amiens and Toulouse’s challenging the decision], which measured the benefits and drawbacks of an immediate end of the tournament, while a very considerable confusion influenced the idea of a potential timely restart of the case.
“The judge in summary proceedings finds that the board of directors of the LFP should not legitimately depend on the reality that the existing agreement concluded with the French Football Federation (FFF) clearly states a limit of 20 clubs in the decision to relegate the last two teams in Ligue 1 when this arrangement expires on June 30 and a new agreement must be signed.”
The French top flight could thus be expanded to 22 teams as a result of the judge’s decision, since Lorient and Lens will be promoted from Ligue 2.
The ruling continued: “The judge therefore orders the LFP, in consultation with the qualified bodies of the FFF, to re-examine the issue of the Ligue 1 structure for the 2020-2021 season, taking into consideration all the elements related to the circumstances in which this season is expected to take place, and to draw the conclusions as to the relegation concept before 30 June.”
The ruling proved contentious when Toulouse and Amiens protested against their removal. Lyon too resorted to legal proceedings after their seventh-place result, but was refused a place in European competition next season.
