The Ligue 1 match between Lens and defending champions Lille was interrupted for about 30 minutes when fans from the northern rivals clashed at halftime.
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After the first half ended, a large group of Lens supporters invaded the field and ran to the away section where they fought with Lille fans.
Riot police and stewards intervened and escorted them off the field.
An emergency meeting took place to decide whether the match at Stade Bollaert should continue.
But after the second half got under way there was no further disorder and Lens won 1-0.
Lens are unbeaten under coach Franck Haise and up to second place.
Lille have won only once to be 13th with the pressure is growing on coach Jocelyn Gourvennec.
It is the second high-profile incident of the season in France after serious disorder at the Nice-Marseille game in August which was suspended for 90 minutes before being abandoned.
That game has been rescheduled for October 27.
Veteran striker Burak Yilmaz went close to scoring for Lille but his missed chances proved costly.
Poland midfielder Przemyslaw Frankowski struck in the 73rd after being set up by Gael Kakuta for his first goal since joining from MLS club Chicago Fire.
Meanwhile, South Korea striker Hwang Ui-jo scored early and grabbed the late winner as Bordeaux won 2-1 at Saint-Etienne.
It is Bordeaux's first win of the campaign and moved them off the bottom to 14th spot.
Saint-Etienne, who equalised through forward Wahbi Khazri in the 72nd, remain one of three teams yet to win a game to be second bottom.
Australian Associated Press
