SC Bastia had run up an operating deficit of €1.2 million in the previous financial year.[4] On 15 June 2010, following a review of each club's administrative and financial accounts in the Championnat National, the Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion (DNCG) ruled that Bastia and Gueugnon would be relegated to the Championnat de France amateur.[5][6] Both Bastia and Gueugnon had the option to appeal the decision. On 25 June 2010, the Corsican Assembly and the General Council of Haute-Corse approved grants of €800,000 and €150,000 to be given to Bastia in order for the club to meet the DNCG's financial requirements, which would allow the club to remain in the Championnat National.[7][8][4] However, on 6 July, the DNCG remained firm on its stance relegating the club to the fourth division after questioning the legitimacy of the grants and the sale of the club's training center. Bastia president, Julien Lolli, remained confident that the club would play in the Championnat National and issued an appeal to the CNOSF, the National Sporting Committee of France, the same day.[9] On 2 July, the DNCG announced that Gueugnon would remain in National after the club successfully appealed to the organisation.[10] On 16 July, the CNOSF ruled against the DNCG and announced that Bastia should play in the Championnat National.[11] The club's place in the league was confirmed upon the release of the league table.
Bastia exited the Coupe de la Ligue in the round of 16, losing 4–0 to Auxerre on 27 October.[13] During the match, fans used pyrotechnics and threw objects onto the pitch.[13] According to the LFP's disciplinary committee, Bastia club officials hindered the arrest of the guilty individuals while an Auxerre steward sustained injuries.[13][14] As a result of these incidents the disciplinary committee excluded Bastia from the following year's edition of the league cup in December.[13]