French club's double relegation appeal rejected

16:32 - 12 July 2017

Bastia's fans cheer during the French Ligue 1 football match against Toulousen September 10, 2016 at the Armand-Cesari stadium in Bastia on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica

Bastia failed in their appeal against their demotion to the French third division on Wednesday, having been relegated a second time on financial grounds after finishing bottom of Ligue 1.

"The club is going to immediately appeal this decision to the CNOSF (French Olympic Committee)," Bastia said in a brief statement on the club's website.

Bastia were condemned to the third tier by French football's financial watchdog on June 22 and had pledged to offload players to balance the club's accounts before the next hearing.

But Bastia failed to overturn the ruling, unlike Corsican rivals Ajaccio who will remain in Ligue 2 after successfully appealing against their relegation for similar financial problems.