At least three accidents are said to have concluded amateur football matches, between November 30 and December 1, in Antibes, Cannes and La Gaude. The first two involved players under the age of 18 (U18 and U16), the other involved senior clubs.
The situation worries club presidents and the Côte d’Azur football district, to the point that the latter organized a videoconference on the subject on December 2.
In its report, the District acknowledges incidents which occurred near the grounds, involving licensees and spectators.
He therefore plans to file a complaint for each serious accident observed, to suspend as a precautionary measure the players involved until the next meeting of the disciplinary committee, and to make an official announcement condemning these acts, accompanied by a message of support to the victims.
In the short term, it is also planned to strengthen the system surrounding high-risk matches, to summon the presidents and educators of the clubs concerned, or even to play certain matches behind closed doors.
“The difficulty is finding suitable land, which cannot be seen from the outside. With entry control and a dedicated security service”supports Alain Broche, the president of the District.
A father and his son hit
Measures approved by Romain Courbon, the president of AS Roquefort. On November 30, following a match between its U16s and those of Olympique Suquetan Cannes Croisette, a father and his son were beaten.
“It happened in the street, after a meeting that was going well. We all had to leave together, but the dad was in a hurry. He picked up his son and was escorted to the exit of the stadium by a companion “says Romain Courbon.
They separated at an intersection, before passing a group, probably composed of a Cannes player and his friends, who attacked them.
Two Biotois in hospital
The events which took place in the parking lot of the Trois-Moulins stadium in Antibes, the same day, ended worse. After a meeting between the U18s of the Antibes Juan-les-Pins Olympic Youth Group (GJO) and those of US Biot, two Biot players were victims of helmet and fist blows, which would have been given by players and supporters. Antibes supporters. To the point that one of the two victims suffered from partial amnesia.
On site, the police were unable to arrest the suspects. The two Biotois were transported to hospital. One of them filed a complaint with the Antibes police station, which opened an investigation.
This is also one of the objectives of the Côte d’Azur District: to remind people that licensees are not above the law, inside the stadium and outside.
Suspensions can be decided, and criminal punishments applied. “My executive office and I have only been in place for two months. We have ideas, but this situation requires getting closer to the public authorities. So setting appointments, putting together written projects… it cannot be resolved by a few weeks But the institutions have agreed to support us, so there will be concrete actions quickly.assures Alain Broche.
Exchange of punches
Especially since this incivility does not only concern minors: on December 1, it was seniors playing in Departmental 1 who came to blows.
At the end of the meeting between the Entente sportive des Baous and the Stade de Vallauris, players from Vallauris climbed into the stand and punches were exchanged.
However, Alain Broche recalls that around 350 matches can be played each weekend in the Alpes-Maritimes. These incidents therefore remain exceptions, which he nevertheless considers unacceptable.
