Nantes home match against Toulouse in France’s top flight was abandoned with 22 minutes played after hooded ultras stormed the pitch and threw flares.

It was an apparent protest against Nantes’ relegation from Ligue 1 this season, having won just five of their 33 league games.

Supporters threw flares then broke through barriers and entered the field at the Stade de la Beaujoire with the score 0-0 as the stewards struggled to hold them back.

The players ran down the tunnel as police entered the pitch to quell the protest, eventually forcing the fans to retreat.

Referee Stephanie Frappart eventually called off the game nearly 40 minutes after the match was first suspended.

“The decision to permanently stop the match has been made for security reasons,” she said.

Sunday’s game was the last of the season for both teams and Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodzic’s final game at the club.

“The Yellow and Greens wanted to end the season tonight with a victory at the Beaujoire stadium, for coach Vahid’s last match and for pride, against Toulouse FC,” Nantes said in a statement on their website.

“However, following the use of pyrotechnics in the stands and a pitch invasion in the 22nd minute (0-0), the authorities and the refereeing team decided to abandon the match.”

France’s Minister of Sports, Marina Ferrari wrote on X that the incident was “unacceptable”.

“I condemn these actions with the utmost firmness and offer my support to the players as well as to the fans who came to experience this moment peacefully.

“The definitive interruption of this match, decided by the prefect, was necessary. Such incidents cannot be tolerated.

“I wish to commend the swift intervention of the stadium staff and law enforcement. Everyone must take responsibility to ensure the identification of those responsible for these acts of violence, who must be sanctioned with the utmost severity.”