After it seemed as though Bongani Zungu's Amiens were saved from relegation by a court ruling, the Ligue 1 side has now suffered another shock blow in the latest twist of the saga.
On 9 June, the French Council of State ruled that the relegation of Amiens and Toulouse was unlawful, and had suggested extending the league to 22 teams next season to accommodate them.
However, the Board of Directors of the French Football Association (LFP) has now unanimously voted against the extension.
"The Board of Directors voted unanimously with the votes cast (23 votes for, 2 abstentions) a resolution proposing to the General Assembly to maintain the format of Ligue 1 at 20 clubs for the 2020/2021 season," a statement on the LFP website read.
"This resolution was voted after an in-depth examination of the challenges of a Ligue 1 to 20, 21 or 22 clubs on the 2020/2021 competition calendar after having obtained the opinion of the joint committee of the FFF / LFP calendar, and the consequences on player health.
"This review also covered the financial impacts, the distribution of audiovisual rights as well as the contractual repercussions with Ligue 1 broadcasters.
"In accordance with the ordinance of the Council of State of June 9, 2020 and on the proposal of the Bureau of the LFP of June 19, the Board of Directors of the LFP convenes today a General Assembly of the LFP for Tuesday, June 23, 2020 in order to examine this resolution and to decide on the format of Ligue 1 for the 2020/2021 season."
It remains to be seen what this means for Amiens and Toulouse, but it now seems likely that both will be officially relegated or no promotion will take place. A final decision will be taken at the general assembly on 23 June.
