French football reinstates promotion-relegation playoffs

French football is reintroducing playoffs to determine which teams are relegated and promoted from the top two divisions.

The new system, which comes in next season, applies only to the team that finishes in 18th place in Ligue 1 and the side that comes third in Ligue 2.

The two teams will play one another over two legs for the right to compete in the top flight the following term, with the first leg taking place at the lower division outfit's ground.

It is the first time that French football has used playoffs to determine promotion and relegation since 1993.

The top two teams in Ligue 2 will be promoted as normal, while the bottom two in Ligue 1 will drop down.