Angers vs. Lille Ligue 1 Match to Proceed Behind Closed Doors Due to Flooding

The Ligue 1 match between Angers and Lille, scheduled for Sunday, February 22nd, will be played at the Stade Raymond Kopa but without spectators, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has announced. The decision comes amid severe flooding in the Angers region, raising concerns about the safety of transporting fans to the stadium.

Flooding Impacts Access and Training

Despite the Stade Raymond Kopa itself remaining unaffected and the pitch being playable, authorities determined that ensuring the safe passage of thousands of fans was not feasible. Mayor Christophe Béchu stated that approximately 5,000 residents in Angers have been impacted by flooding, with water affecting homes and cellars Le Parisien.

The flooding has also disrupted Angers’ training schedule. The team has been forced to relocate its training sessions from the Beaumette facility to the Salpinte stadium until the situation improves FotMob.

Financial Implications for SCO Angers

Playing the match behind closed doors represents a significant financial loss for SCO Angers, as ticket revenue will be forfeited. The club is currently 11th in Ligue 1 and will be without the support of its fans as it competes to move away from the relegation zone Onze Mondial.

Match Details

The match is scheduled to begin at 4:15 PM UTC on February 22, 2026, at the Stade Raymond Kopa in Angers, France Sofascore. Lille currently holds the 5th position in Ligue 1.

Injuries and Suspensions

Several players are currently unavailable due to injury or suspension. For Lille, Carlens Arcus is suspended, while Harouna Djibirin, Thomas Meunier, Ethan Mbappé, Hamza Igamane, and Osame Sahraoui are sidelined with injuries FotMob.