The 32-year-old man who threw a plastic water bottle on Dimitri Payet's head at the very start of the Lyon-Marseille match on Sunday is not known to be an ultra supporter and was unknown to the police.
The OL-OM match never resumed after this incident.
Arrested in five minutes in the stands, the supporter was placed in police custody Monday and referred to the prosecution for his judgment in immediate appearance on Tuesday, at 2 p.m., before the 14th chamber of the criminal court of Lyon for "violence with weapon by destination in a sports arena ”.
Before the hearing, his lawyer Me Metaxa spoke in the columns of our colleagues from Progress: “He deeply regrets, for everyone.
The club, the player, the public, him.
He's a downcast guy, ”explains his defender.
He adds about his client: “He recognizes the facts.
He is not a member of the Bad Gones fan group.
He's a classic fan of the early days.
He has been going to the stadium for twenty years, about fifteen times a year.
There had never been the slightest incident.
He followed Lyon's rise to Ligue 1, the titles… ”
“Why weren't the nets installed?
"
For Me Metaxa, his client was not immediately aware of the stupidity of his gesture.
He did not, according to him, intend to touch the Marseille player: “When he saw that it was going all over the place, he took a bottle of water.
Between throwing it in the direction of the player and reaching it, there is a nuance.
He blames himself.
"
However, his client's criminal record would include a mention for receiving stolen goods, a conviction dating back more than ten years, according to his lawyer.
Based in Vaulx-en-Velin in the Lyon suburbs, the supporter works in the cleaning sector.
Before pleading, Me Metaxa is already preparing his defense: “Why were the nets not installed?
Why can we find bottles at the stage?
He asks himself.
He will repeat his words before the magistrates.