After serious incidents at Groupama Stadium during OL-Nantes, Olympique Lyonnais is facing a deep problem with supporters advocating far-right ideas.
Serious incidents took place after the match OL-Nantes at Groupama Stadium, highlighting recurring tensions in the stands of the Rhone club. John Textor’s club now finds itself obliged to take measures against supporters whose racist ideas are increasingly present.
For several years, a small minority of Lyon supporters have been suspected of promoting racist ideas. Despite OL’s press releases after each incident, these actions seem insufficient to stop the problem. On Sunday this happened again when members of the group Six Nine Piratesa collective advocating the fight against racism, were attacked by members of a group known for its fascist behavior: Bad Gones. There would have been, according to certain media, a particularly serious incident involving a stabbing.
These incidents follow other disturbing events, notably during the trip from Lyon to Toulouse, where the supporters had already been singled out for their behavior see our previous article.
Local authorities confirmed that scuffles broke out outside the stadium, causing scenes of chaos, particularly in front of families present. Despite the seriousness of the events, the Rhône prefecture indicated that no medical treatment was necessary, although media reports mentioned a thigh injury requiring stitches.
This new confrontation took place under the eyes of families who had nothing to do with this violence. Despite official reactions from the club and the prefecture, many Lyon fans are calling for firmer action to prevent OL’s image from being permanently tarnished.
Witnesses reported crowd movements and racist remarks heard in the stands, further aggravating the situation. The Six Neuf Pirates group described this violence as “serious” while the prefecture denounced “unacceptable violence” which requires exemplary sanctions. For Olympique Lyonnais, it is time to act to prevent the club’s image from being permanently tarnished.
