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Lens supporters first pushed onto the field in the first half
Photo:
JB Autissier / imago images / PanoramiC
For the second time within a few weeks, fans in France stormed the pitch in a first division game.
In the game between RC Lens and champions OSC Lille, fans fought violent arguments on Saturday evening.
The outbreak of violence occurred at the end of the first half when fans of the OSC wanted, according to the broadcaster France bleu, to have a showdown with the supporters from Lens. It was the first meeting of the two rival clubs from the north in Ligue 1 with fans in eleven years. Lens had already been promoted in the preseason, but the games had taken place in front of empty ranks.
On amateur videos from the stadium you can see how supporters of the guests from Lille initially acted furiously against the side cordon of their block in the direction of the neighboring rows of seats with mostly uninvolved Lens fans, presumably to penetrate the block. As a result, more and more Lens Ultras penetrated the pitch from the stands diagonally opposite - apparently looking for the shortest and fastest route to the competing block.
The broadcaster France bleu, citing its reporter in the stadium, reported that there had been scuffles while Lille fans threw stadium seats at the opposing fans and the police from the stands.
Several injured people had to be evacuated from the Lens stadium by ambulance.
One of them posted a photo from the hospital with his head smeared with blood.
He was hit in the head from a seat and passed out.
After about half an hour, the situation was under control, the riot police had also used water cannons.
Six people suffered minor injuries, according to official information, and two people were provisionally arrested.
Lens won the game 1-0 with a goal from Przemyslaw Frankowski (74th).
A similar incident occurred in Ligue 1 around four weeks ago, in which the game between OGC Nice and Olympique Marseille had to be canceled.
Marseille star Dimitri Payet had fired a plastic bottle thrown at him back into the stands, whereupon angry fans of Nice stormed the field.
Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu responded on Twitter with a reference to how to stand up for the interests of the fans, for example to ensure that fans are involved in the management of the clubs.
But “the start of the season was not helpful,” she continued: “We have to analyze the situation quickly.
Everyone in football is called upon to do this, starting with the fans. "
sak / sid / dpa
