Montpellier supporters were banned from accessing the stadium, following clashes between supporters of AS Saint-Étienne and Montpellier Hérault Sport Club (MHSC) ahead of the match between the two clubs on Saturday evening.
At 4:30 p.m., the 300 Montpellier supporters were transported from the Saint-Romain-en-Gier area to the Geoffroy Guichard stadium, as provided for in the prefectural decree issued due to the risk of unrest. public order assessed by the public authorities for this meeting.
They get off the bus to fight
At 5:30 p.m., several dozen Montpellier supporters got off their bus, before entering the stadium, armed with iron bars and other blunt objects, to violently oppose the Saint-Etienne ultra supporters located nearby.
The prefectural services affirm that “the rapid and resolute intervention of the national police made it possible to put an end to the unrest. The restoration of public order required significant use of tear gas and a water thrower.”
Montpellier supporters banned from stadiums
Ten Montpellier supporters were taken care of by the firefighters. Four police officers were also injured in the clashes.
The prefect enforced the ban on access to the stadium for supporters of the Montpellier club. “The Montpellier supporters, after having reached the stadium visitors' car park under good escort, were evacuated for an immediate return to the Hérault department”.
Alexandre Rochatte, the prefect of the Loire, strongly condemns these actions, which harm the image of football, of sport in general, and mobilize substantial means of public security.
