Friday November 8, two members of the “Merlus utras”, a group of FC Lorient supporters, were sentenced by the Lorient court to prison for violence and damage on the sidelines of their team’s matches.
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The two men were prosecuted for violence and damage in meetings, which occurred on the sidelines of a Ligue 2 match between FC Lorient and AC Ajaccio, Friday September 27. The “capo”, leader of the group, aged 33, was sentenced to two years in prison, including one year under bracelet. The second was sentenced to eight months in prison, four of which were suspended.
During the night, a group dressed in black gathered near the stadium, before “two series of scuffles in downtown Lorient“, according to the Lorient prosecutor Stéphane Kellenberger. 70 “Merlus Ultras” hooded and gloved, had attacked Corsican supporters in a bar in the city center.
The Merlus “capo” was also condemned for damage committed during the Lorient-Grenoble match on August 24. Before the match, “individuals dressed in dark clothing and acting with concealed faces” had attacked two television control trucks parked near the Moustoir stadium, with “throwing paint and other damage“, according to the Lorient prosecutor.
Audiovisual equipment had been damaged, to the detriment of a service provider from the beIN Sports channel which was broadcasting the meeting. The “capo” spoke at the audience of his anger against BeIN sports after the broadcaster decided to move Ligue 2 matches to Friday evening, which irritated several groups of supporters.
Concerning the attack on Corsican supporters, which the two men say they had “suffered violence and intimidation“, they claimed a “rancor”, which they agree is inexcusable. Prosecutor Eric Pouder pointed out a “organized expedition” of “militiamen who follow a leader“. People who “go to war“, a “army“for the lawyers of the civil parties, the broadcaster, FC Lorient and the Professional Football League (LFP). The lawyer of the “capo” insisted on the course”copy“of his client, a father”perfectly inserted“.
The two men are now banned from accessing the HQ of the supporters group and all sports venues hosting an FC Lorient match, for 5 years for the capo and 3 years for the other man.
The leader of the Merlus ultras will also have to pay nearly 30,000 euros to the broadcaster BeIN Sports.
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