Until its last days, the year 2021 will have been marked by violence in football stadiums in France. And this, while the supporters have long been deprived of stands following the health crisis. The latest facts occurred at the Charléty stadium (Paris), during the Coupe de France match between Paris FC (Ligue 2) and Olympique Lyonnais, Friday, December 17.
Meeting urgently on Monday, December 20, the disciplinary commission of the FFF explains having launched the investigation. Parisians and Lyonnais will be auditioned on Monday, December 27. Then, the disciplinary committee will deliver its verdict “at the latest” the next day, Tuesday, December 28. There is therefore little chance that the match will be replayed since the round of 16 of the competition will take place the following weekend, January 2 and 3, 2022. The winner of the match must face Nice.
This verdict will determine the responsibilities of the two clubs in the incidents which occurred in Charléty. Clashes broke out in the Lyon parking lot at half-time of the match. The score was then 1-1. Supporters threw smoke bombs and numerous brawls were started. People left the stand to keep away from the overflows, going to stand on the athletics track which borders the field, causing a large crowd movement. The police intervened while the announcer of Paris FC appealed for calm.
In a second step and while the 22 actors of the match had returned to the lawn, dozens of people invaded the lawn of the Charléty stadium. Escorted by the security services, the players returned to the locker rooms. The referee of the meeting, Jérémy Sinat, initially delayed the start of the second half. After about fifty minutes of waiting, he finally decided not to resume the meeting.
After these incidents, the now traditional media weapon pass saw the two presidents oppose each other. First to speak, Jean-Michel Aulas, the president of OL spoke of a “shared responsibility” between Parisian and Lyon supporters. The one who is currently suspended following acts of violence during another match also assured that “tout is not to blame our supporters [Lyonnais]”.
“After half-time, let’s be clear, there is no ambiguity on this, the group of Ultras Lyonnais went wild. replied Pierre Ferracci, president of the PFC. Quite simply, these people should never have set foot in Charléty. ”