Images of Lyon supporters making monkey cries and Nazi salutes circulated on the evening of Sunday October 29, when the match between Marseille and Lyon was postponed.
The serious incidents which led to the postponement of the OM-OL match in Ligue 1, Sunday October 29, have a new aspect. Tuesday October 31, the Professional Football League (LFP) announced that it had opened the file around “behavior of Lyon supporters in the visitor area”. “In view of the seriousness of the facts, the LFP disciplinary committee decides to put the case under investigation“, she explains in a press release. The LFP disciplinary committee will make its decision on November 22.
While clashes took place outside the stadium with several buses being stoned, including that of the Lyon players, some Rhone supporters were seen in the stands making racist gestures. Screams and monkey imitations were filmed, and Nazi salutes were performed by several people wearing black hoods. These behaviors were denounced on Monday, October 30, by OL, and led to the opening of an investigation for provocation of racial hatred.
Lyon asks to replay the match elsewhere than in Marseille
Olympique Lyonnais also demanded through several of its leaders that the match be postponed in a venue other than the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. ” Today the security conditions for playing in Marseille are not met. It would therefore be necessary to play on neutral ground“, declared the club’s general director, Vincent Ponsot, on OL Play.
” We want to replay the match, the players have nothing to do with it. Just like our players had nothing to do with it when the bottle was thrown at Groupama Stadium (at Dimitri Payet, then in Marseille, in November 2021), even if they were sanctioned sportingly. What we want is for the safety of our players to be guaranteed. They are there to play football and what we ask is that they do not take a concrete block on their heads“, he continued.
Also speaking on OL Play, OL deputy general director Xavier Pierrot indicated that complaints would be filed in the coming days.
“Most of the complaints from Fabio Grosso and members of the management will be filed on Thursday, those of the club will be filed before“, he said, while Grosso, coach of Les Gones, had 12 stitches placed after being hit by a projectile jet. The subject of these complaints against X, he said , aims to provide a ” solid backrest“to justice. When the perpetrators have been identified, ” we will file a complaint by name against these people“.
Fabio Grosso, for his part, reacted for the first time since his attack. In a publication on Instagram, the transalpine technician estimated that the incidents could have been “a tragedy“.”And it certainly has for the sport and everyone who loves it. I sincerely hope that this will serve as a lesson for our future.” he continued.