10-time French champion Saint-Etienne drops to 2nd tier
PARIS (AP) — Angry fans invaded the field after Saint-Etienne was relegated from France’s top tier after losing 5-4 on penalty kicks to Auxerre in the promotion-relegation playoff. The second-leg game was 1-1 after 90 minutes with no goals added in extra time. That left the aggregate score at 2-2 after the sides drew 1-1 in midweek. Saint-Etienne owns a record-tying 10 league titles. Saint-Etienne fans invaded the field immediately after the last penalty kick with flares being set off. Players from both teams rushed into the locker room as scores of angry fans ran across the pitch and lit flares. L’Equipe newspaper said the supporters were then dispersed by police. No injuries were immediately reported.