- Lyon team bus attacked
- Injuries to staff
- Match postponed, arrests made
Lyon has issued a dire warning that failure to take action could result in an “even more serious tragedy” following the “serious injury” sustained by manager Fabio Grosso in an assault on the team bus in Marseille.
The Lyon bus was hit by pebbles on Sunday on the way to Stade Velodrome, postponing the Ligue 1 match.
According to Lyon, Grosso and assistant Raffaele Longo sustained facial injuries after being struck by projectiles.
Marseille expressed “deep regret for the intolerable incidents.”
Seven arrests have been made, according to French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, after six coaches carrying Lyon supporters were also targeted prior to the 19:45 GMT match between tenth-placed Marseille and last-placed Lyon. The game was scheduled to begin.
According to a statement, Lyon “regrets that this type of situation occurs every year in Marseille,” in addition to saying it “invites the authorities to take stock of the seriousness and repetition of this type of incident before an even more serious tragedy occurs.
“Don’t miss out! Grab your free shares of Webull UK today!”
Multiple individuals, according to Lyon, “violently attacked” the bus, shattering windows with projectiles.
Social media posts featured photographs of a bloodied Grosso on a gurney. Longo and Lyon were “directly struck and severely injured in the face during the attack,” according to Lyon.
Lyon initially wanted to play, but Grosso and Longo’s injuries and mental state changed their minds.
“He (Grosso) is incapable of speaking. He had glass shards in his face,” said John Textor, president of Lyon, in an interview with Prime Video.
“Extremely enraged. Our coaches and players had been preparing for tonight’s game, and the spectators were eager to see it.
“After the window was shattered, additional projectiles struck him just above the eye.” Beer bottles were present and struck him in the cranium.
Marseille denounces the violent conduct of “mindless individuals.”
Lyon later tweeted video of Grosso, bandaged above the eye, and their players thanking the visiting fans in the stadium.
Pablo Longoria, the president of Marseille, described the attacks as “completely unacceptable.” Adding: “My initial concern is for Fabio Grosso, an individual I have long admired and known.
“I immediately paid him a visit upon my arrival at the stadium.” “I observed him as he truly was.”
Marseille asked Lyon coach Fabio Grosso to relax and also condemned this violent attitude in sports and society.
“Due to a handful of mindless people, the game planned for this evening was spoiled and deprived 65,000 supporters of attending a football match,” according to them.
After the assault, a crisis meeting was convened, during which it was determined that the game should not proceed. The Competitions Commission, according to the French football governing body LFP, will determine the next actions.
Marseille stated that they would abide by any determination regarding the future of the match but wished that it “occupies as expeditiously and under optimal conditions at the Stade Velodrome.”
“A dreadful reputation for French football”
Thousands of spectators were already inside the stadium when the postponement of the game was officially announced.
“We considered Lyon’s wishes regarding the postponement of the match,” said referee Francois Letexier.
“Based on Lyon’s wishes and the protocol, the decision was taken not to start the match,” he stated, noting that information “have been forwarded to the relevant authorities who will decide what action to take.”
“The images of the stoned buses carrying the Lyon bus and its supporters, as well as Fabio Grosso’s bloodied face, are abhorrent,” stated French sports minister Oudea-Castera.
“Such abhorrent behavior undermines the fundamental principles of football and athletics; those responsible must be apprehended and subjected to severe penalties.”
“These actions marked by stupidity and hatred, which have nothing to do with sport, must be eradicated with the greatest determination.”
President of FIFA Gianni Infantino also stated, “Violent behavior has no place in football at all.”
In X, French football expert Julien Laurens called it a “terrible image for the sport.”
He exclaimed, “What a scandalous mess!” “Unfortunately, this is not the last time this has occurred; this is not the first; I am at a loss for words. Unacceptable once more.”
Seven-time French champions Lyon hired Grosso following the dismissal of Laurent Blanc in September.
Mortgage approvals hit January low, Bank of England reports.
