December 4 – A fan of French Ligue 1 club Nantes has been killed during a brawl before the club’s 1-0 win over Nice in the latest outbreak of violence to hit French football.
Prosecutors said he suffered a wound to his back during clashes after Nantes hooligans attacked vehicles transporting visiting Nice supporters to the Beaujoire stadium.
L’Equipe newspaper reported the fan was a member of the Brigade Loire, Nantes’ main group of diehard fans. The eight-time French champions confirmed authorities had launched an investigation into voluntary manslaughter.
Nantes coach Jocelyn Gourvennec, who was appointed this week, said he only found out about the supporter’s death after the match.
“I can’t imagine how you can go to a match, sometimes with your family, and be between life and death after a match,” he said. “It’s inconceivable.”
Ligue 1 has seen an upsurge of violence in stadiums over the past two seasons.
A week ago, two Brest supporters were injured when their bus was targeted by projectiles after the club’s 3-1 victory in Montpellier.
And at the end of October a bus carrying Lyon players was stoned by fans outside the Velodrome stadium in Marseilles.
PSG fans unveiled a banner after the name of the fan was released on social media (pictured).
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