The Roubaix velodrome stadium is rather accustomed to the festive arrivals of the legendary Paris-Roubaix cycle race.
On Saturday January 27, it was the scene of a heated end to the match between the women's under-18s of RC Roubaix-Wervicq and their counterparts from AS Beauvais Oise in Regional 1. Sasha, a player from Roubaix, was transported to the Lille CHR after scuffles.
She came out the same evening suffering from head trauma and neck pain.
The next day, Sunday, Jean-Baptiste Gallen posted a video on social networks.
With a determined look and unambiguous words, the president of RC Roubaix-Wervicq displays unwavering determination.
“I have one of my players who had to be hospitalized due to blows to the head from a Beauvais manager.
From today, I would systematically refuse to play Beauvais or host Beauvais in any category.
If the Hauts-de-France League, if the District of Flanders, if the Federation and all the institutions do not do something about that.
I will announce the resignation of all our teams from any of our championships.
Even if it means stopping the football club.
»
🔴⚫️ UNALLOWABLE!
Published by Football Féminin Roubaix Wervicq on Saturday January 27, 2024
The video has been viewed more than 25,000 times and the Roubais boss sees it as a sign: “I set up this club five years ago because, in my eyes, women's football was a sport that still conveys values of respect. of oneself, of the opponent, of the referee and of the beautiful game. This aggression shatters this image that I had.
It is with this in mind that I made the video on Sunday.
I was desperate.
How is it possible to kick a child in the head on the ground?
She could have been killed.
»
“It will be them or us”
For Gallien, only firm decisions will be able to save women's football from the ills of its male counterpart: "I am asking for the dissolution of the women's section of the ASBO," he says.
From under 16s to seniors.
In this story, you have to hit hard.
It will be them or us.
Me, I have no political ambition, if I have to leave football, that poses no problem for me.
The most important thing remains the health of my players.
»
A student in a sports-studies class in a high school in Roubaix, Sasha returned to school on Wednesday for just two hours.
“Sasha is experiencing real trauma,” says David Devogel, her coach but also her PE teacher.
She associates football with her aggression.
However, football was his passion.
She still has headaches and nightmares.
She had a black hole.
We are in a two-week concussion protocol set up by the Fed.
She has also been out of school since Saturday.
Our first concern is to help him recover.
»
On the Beauvais side, the ASBO has a completely different vision of the matter.
The Picardy club also decided to react to the comments made by the Roubais manager and responded with a press release on its website.
“During the first period, racist comments were made by the Roubaix players, creating a tense climate between the two teams.
At the end of the match, some players on both sides refused to shake hands, and at that moment parents of the Roubaix players invaded the field and rushed to the Beauvais sidelines where There was a 16-year-old minor manager player and no other adults.
»
The arbitrator indicates that the blame is shared
The ASBO filed a complaint on Tuesday for defamation against the president of Roubaix.
“It’s serious to say that an adult from Beauvais hit a 16-year-old girl,” explains Sylvain Reghem, one of the two presidents with Guillaume Godin.
People are trying to say that ASBO is a thug club.
It's difficult to hear this when we work so hard every day.
We never had any problems.
It all started with racist comments from Roubaix players towards ours.
This is not the first time that this has happened to us.
When this happens, you should leave the field.
I don't want to minimize the facts.
Fortunately we have videos to prove our good faith.
These are two 16-year-old players who fought.
Of course, this is regrettable.
But there is nothing at all.
Moreover, the Roubaix player left the hospital the same evening without anything serious.
»
In his report, the referee indicates that the faults are shared by both teams.
This Saturday, the disciplinary committee of the Ligue des Hauts-de-France must study the case.
On the criminal side, Sasha's family filed a complaint for assault and battery.