the essential
The end of an Ariège District match between FC Lescure and FC Laroque-d'Olmes degenerated into a general brawl. Two players, one from each team, ended up in the hospital. Dissatisfied with the sanctions taken by the disciplinary committee of the District of Ariège, the leaders of Laroque-d'Olmes decided to express their dissatisfaction in front of the District headquarters on Tuesday.
Last weekend, during a football match in the Ariège District between FC Lescure and FC Laroque-d'Olmes, a general brawl broke out while the end of the match had just been whistled. An altercation between two players causes a crowd in which a Laroquais player finds himself on the ground. This week, the Ariège District disciplinary committee met to evaluate the incidents. However, the leaders of Laroque-d'Olmes do not agree at all with the sanctions taken and decided to make this known by going to demonstrate their indignation on Tuesday in front of the premises of the Ariège football district. “We are going to show that we do not agree with the sanctions handed down after what happened,” explains Frédéric Massat, Laroquais coach. It's a scandal. The firefighters and gendarmes of Saint-Girons were fantastic. » Two players actually ended up in hospital (one from each team). Who did what, who started it, the versions are not exactly the same. “It’s true, it’s a local player who packs a punch,” admits Frédéric Massat. But, just before, he was insulted and it was the Lescure player who tried to attack him but he missed. The fight that followed would have lasted twenty seconds if the players from the Lescure reserve team had not attacked my players afterwards. I had never seen that. »
“At some point, sanctions must be taken”
Frédéric Massat also wants to point out the inaction of the Ariège District. “They don’t sanction violent people and risky clubs. You have to ask yourself the right questions. For the District to turn a blind eye is unacceptable. How can the Lescure club, the field, not be suspended? We are going to come and show our indignation. » Laroque-d'Olmes does not want to “be seen as the culprits. We don't want this label. It's gratuitous violence on a football field and it's increasing. At some point, sanctions must be taken. My player has physical and psychological after-effects. »
On the Lescure side, there is a call for appeasement. “We have been trying to pacify the debates for several years,” retorts Michel Bareille, its president, who was not present at the match. It's been a long time since we had any problems. Of course, we are never safe from external excesses. We sorted things out at home. In such a context, it is impossible for field delegates to bring everyone back behind the handrails. My challenge is to calm everyone down. And since I arrived at the head of the club, I think we have changed its image. It is in everyone's interest to show solidarity to avoid such excesses. »
