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The frustration of the fans erupted after the final whistle
Photo: IMAGO/JB Autissier / IMAGO/PanoramiC
A pitch storm and serious riots have overshadowed the descent of the record French soccer champions AS St.-Étienne (ASSE) to the 2nd division.
Hundreds of spectators packed the pitch and set off fireworks immediately after the hosts lost on penalties in Sunday's relegation game against AJ Auxerre.
Numerous Bengalos flew partly into the crowd, partly onto the spectator stands, which were still filled with fans.
Video recordings show that it was only with difficulty that the players and support staff managed to escape unharmed to the stadium's catacombs.
Some players held their heads, which could indicate that they had previously been hit by projectiles.
However, this assumption has not yet been confirmed.
The police are said to have used tear gas to push back the fans.
As in the first leg, the game was 1-1 after 90 minutes, and extra time didn't bring a decision either.
Auxerre then won 5-4 on penalties.
Auxerre had taken the lead early in the second half through a Hamza Sakhi goal before Mahdi Camara equalized for St-Étienne.
On penalties, Ryad Boudebouz missed a penalty for St-Étienne, sealing Auxerre's promotion to the Ligue.
Relegation matches have only been played in France since the 2017/2018 season.
Auxerre, the second division team, prevailed for the first time.
St.-Étienne had won the French championship ten times in the past, just as often as Paris Saint-Germain now.
Most recently, St.-Étienne fell into second division 18 years ago.
Those responsible at ASSE want to take legal action
In the meantime, those responsible at AS St.-Étienne have commented on the incident, the statement says: “Despite an extraordinary and increased effort by almost 500 officials, numerous fans rushed onto the pitch after the final whistle.
Some of them then committed several acts of humiliation and violence towards the players, the security forces, the police and the public.
It is to be expected that the club will have to accept a severe penalty for the incidents.
cf./dpa/sid/AP
