OL – PSG: the new evening of shame for French football

Racism, spitting, insults, fights, attacks, fire at a toll booth… What should have been a great celebration of French football finally brought out the worst that society can offer us. And this is unfortunately very often embodied by football fans. Saturday in Lille, new incidents spoiled an evening which was intended to be exciting and thrilling on a sporting level. First there was this Gambardella final, won by Olympique de Marseille against Nancy with a score of 4-1.

A match between young players marked by incidents in the stands, caused by OL and PSG fans already present on site, before the Cup final. For example, the match was interrupted after the hour mark following a projectile thrown at the Marseille goalkeeper, Aboubaka Dosso, from Parisian supporters. The match was stopped for around ten minutes, while the insults against the Marseille kids were constant throughout the game. Gaël Lafont received a spit on him while he celebrated his goal in front of the Lyonnais. Racist insults were also said to have been uttered during the meeting according to several fans present on site.

Terrible violence

At the same time, other sad events took place a little more than 70km from the Lille stadium. Buses from Lyon came face to face with Parisian fans at the Fresnes-lès-Montauban tollbooth, on the A1. A fight broke out, and around twenty injuries were reported, while several police officers also had to be treated. Particularly violent scenes between 100 Lyonnais and 200 Parisians – some are published on social networks – which also caused material damage.

Four buses were damaged, with one burning completely, and the toll booth was also on fire, forcing authorities to close the highway. “I condemn with the greatest firmness all violence. These are sporting events where you must above all be happy”, launched Emmanuel Macron, while the Arras prosecutor will launch the investigation. A few weeks before the Olympic Games, French sport still leaves a sad image…