30 years later, the trauma still present in Corsica

“If I remember May 5, 1992? Of course, I was there. It’s engraved for life.” Seated at the bar which adjoins the village square of Speloncato, a stone’s throw from the central fountain, Eugène Osborne, known as “Ginou”, is not the only one to keep vivid memories of the Furiani disaster. In this commune of Balagne (Haute-Corse) nestled at an altitude of 550 meters and carved into the rock, no one has forgotten this event which constitutes, even today, the darkest hours of French sport.

“We were a band, maybe eight or nine, on the spot”recalls Jean-François Poli, the mayor of the small municipality of less than 300 inhabitants. “I had taken care of the places, there were 500, 400 and 300 francs. Those at 300 were those at the top of the pre-fabricated stand. As it was a semi-final of the Coupe de France (between Bastia and OM) and that there aren’t any every day at Furiani, I had taken the tickets at 400. With hindsight, we can say to ourselves that we were lucky: we were three rows below the part that yielded…”

“We were careful not to crush those who were down there. There had been the Heysel drama a few years earlier, we knew it could be dangerous to be near the fences”

Eugène Osborne, a resident of Speloncato present in Furiani in 1992

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Everyone remembers their impression when they arrive on the dual carriageway that leads to the Armand-Cesari stadium. After having traveled the almost 100 kilometers which separate Speloncato from Furiani, by the territorial road 30, they find themselves facing a monumental building, cheerfully exceeding 15 meters, which contrasts with the size of the enclosure of the Corsican club.

At 8:23 p.m. this Tuesday, May 5, the worst happens. “I had time to turn around, I saw the stand fall from left to right like a house of cards, in a fraction of a second”, testifies Eugene. The 58-year-old remembers going down to help the injured, while others held hands to create a sanitary corridor for ambulances to pass through.

Jean-François Poli, he felt himself going backwards, “maybe 50 or 70 centimeters”, before he could get back on his feet. The one who was a telecom technician at the time remembers having met a colleague, in charge of installing telephone lines and connections for the journalists present on the spot, in the rubble. “I see him again, his eyes completely haggard, holding his arm”, he explains. Above all, he does not forget the death of his head of the technical services center. Gone to make sure everything was operational before kick-off, he was one of the first to fall from the giant scaffolding.

A few minutes after the disaster, the switchboard was saturated and it was no longer possible to call to reassure loved ones. Corsica has just fallen into horror. The physical consequences – 2,357 injured and 18 dead (19 after the disappearance of a man as a result of his injuries, in 2015) – but also psychological will be numerous. “For several months, I was not well when there were people, I almost wondered why”, says Eugene. The mayor of the Balanin village admits not having returned to the stadium for years. “I always had this feeling of vertigo, of turning around and seeing the emptiness and chaos behind me.”

>> May 5, 1992, Furiani: return to a drama forever engraved in the memory of French sport

“The stadium had been enlarged to accommodate almost 20,000 people. However, at the time, there were 250,000 inhabitants. This means that 8% of Corsica was gathered in the same place. No one came out unscathed “

Josepha Guidicelli, the president of the group of victims of May 5, 1992

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On the island, it is said that everyone knows someone who lived, directly or indirectly, the Furiani disaster. Not a municipality, or almost, does not identify, at least, an injured person. “It was a trauma for the Corsicans. For those who were present in the stand which collapsed, of course, but also for those in front of their TV, in total anguish”says Josepha Guidicelli.

President of the collective of victims of May 5, 1992 for 11 years, the one who lost her father Jean, technician of Radio France, 30 years ago, continues to orchestrate the work of memory through several commemorations. Important moments not to forget what happened and to raise awareness among the younger generations, fully associated with the demonstrations in various colleges in Bastia and in the villages.

Especially since this year, for the first time, no professional football match will be played in France, Thursday, May 5. This decision follows the adoption of a bill, in October, which included this date in the sports code. “It was a huge relief for everyone, it was the last step after years of struggling to find serenity and calm”adds Josepha Guidicelli.

Bad luck in the calendar, a meeting – European – will take place at the Vélodrome between OM and Feyenoord Rotterdam. The Olympian club has also requested the establishment of a protocol with UEFA in memory of the victims. A minute of silence will be observed, players will wear black armbands and commemorative messages will be projected on stadium screens.

Many reports and documentaries retracing this nightmare evening were born, over the years. Director Corinne Mattei has decided to produce a work of fiction. Soberly called “May 5, 92”, his 26-minute short film looks back on the pre-match: the preparations of the fans who go to the stadium, the festive atmosphere that reigns around Armand-Cesari…

“I wanted to show different images. Images of all these young people who were going to attend a historic eventshe explains. I lost my brother that day, he was one of those supporters who didn’t always go to the stadium. This film also tells how young people were able to come together to experience this moment of joy together and how it could turn into horror.

Tuesday, May 3, the film was presented in preview at the Espace culturel Charles-Rocchi in Biguglia, just five minutes from the Sporting grounds. A moving screening which former players present at the time of the tragedy were able to attend. “An important mark of support”emphasizes Corinne Mattei.

After a broadcast at Furiani on May 4, ahead of the meeting between the former Sporting and OM players, the short film will continue its tour in Ajaccio, then in the village of San Giuliano before heading for the continent. With the highlight of the Cannes Film Festival on May 24. A recognition for the director, for the families of the disappeared, and additional proof that in Corsica, even 30 years later, the victims will never be forgotten.