Lens allowed to take their place in Ligue 1

Lens, France: Lens on Monday had their promotion to Ligue 1 confirmed after successfully appealing a ban to the top flight on financial grounds.

The club were initially barred from taking their place in Ligue 1 after failing to produce the prerequisite €10 million (Dh49.3 million) guarantee.

But their appeal to the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), France’s highest sporting authority, was upheld and on Monday the French Football Federation confirmed the club would be rubbing shoulders with Paris Saint-Germain this coming season.

Lens’s appearance in Ligue 1 was subject to various conditions imposed in the CNOSF ruling.

Lens, who return to the top division after an absence of three seasons, are owned by Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov, who also owns FC Baku and English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.