French judge denies Lyon, Amiens, Toulouse appeals

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A French judge denied the appeals of Lyon, Amiens, and Toulouse after the three clubs petitioned the French football league's (LFP) decision to cancel the remainder of the Ligue 1 campaign.

"The LFP was pleased to learn that the appeals lodged by Olympique Lyonnais, Amiens SC, and Toulouse FC were rejected by the summary judge of the Paris Administrative Court," a statement from the LFP read, according to Reuters.

"In three orders issued on Friday afternoon, the court ruled that the general decisions taken by the League's board of directors on 30 April could only be challenged before the State Council, which is competent to hear regulatory decisions taken by national authorities such as the LFP," the statement added.

The LFP annulled the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons on April 28 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Lyon, who were seventh in the Ligue 1 table and outside of a European spot with 10 matches to play, warned there could be massive negative consequences of the decision, and not just for "OL's exclusive interests."

Amiens and Toulouse, who sat 19th and 20th in the league, were both relegated as a result of the cancellation and argued it was an unfair compromise. Toulouse recorded just three victories in 28 matches and were 14 points from the relegation playoff position.

The LFP announced Wednesday that Ligue 2 would feature 22 teams next season, including Amiens and Toulouse. Orleans and Le Mans were saved from relegation from Ligue 2, while Pau and Dunkerque, the top two in the third tier, were promoted.