French League match cancelled after fans storm pitch

The match between Nantes and Toulouse in the 34th and final round of the French League came to an abrupt end on 17 May. This happened after Nantes fans stormed the field of the La Beaujoire stadium to protest the team’s official relegation to the second division. The scenes were chaotic. As a result, the referee terminated the match.

Tensions from the start

France Info Sport reported that tensions began within the opening minutes. Nantes fans lit flares and threw projectiles towards the pitch, before storming the pitch just 20 minutes into the game.

The sports outlet added that players and staff from both teams quickly left the pitch. They then sought refuge in the locker rooms under security protection. At that point, the referee had ruled that the game must be suspended. This decision came in the absence of security guarantees. In addition, there was ensuing chaos inside and around the stadium.

Riot police deployed

The same outlet reported that riot control forces were deployed inside La Beaujoire stadium to control the situation. They secured the exit of players and referees.

For its part, Ouest-France reported that Nantes fans booed loudly from the beginning of the match, adding that security forces faced difficulty in containing the fans who stormed the pitch from several sides.

Amid a tense atmosphere that the newspaper described as ”chaotic”, the shock was clear on the Nantes players and the technical staff after the match was stopped.

Ouest-France also indicated that there are fears of disciplinary sanctions being imposed on the club by the French League, against the backdrop of riots and fans storming the pitch, on one of the most turbulent nights in the club’s modern history.

Featured image via One Football

By Alaa Shamali

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