On the way to the French cup final, a clash at a motorway toll gate resulted in a supporters’ coach being burnt out and 30 people left injured. The incidents occurred between fans of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on their way to the match in Lille, where French President Emmanuel Macron planned to attend.
In Lille, about 100 Lyon supporters and 200 PSG fans were involved in the clashes. Twenty supporters sustained minor injuries, while eight officers were also hurt in the violence. According to a police source, one group of supporters attacked a bus carrying rival fans, resulting in violent brawls before police intervened. A bus was left burnt out, causing traffic on the A1 highway to be disrupted in both directions.
Police prefect Bertrand Gaume condemned the violence and stated that strict measures were put in place for the high-risk match. Fans were prohibited from moving outside designated areas near the stadium and public alcohol consumption was restricted until the early hours of the following day. Despite this, about 1,000 officers were on duty in Lille ahead of the game to prevent any further incidents from occurring.
Macron denounced the violence and expressed hope for a peaceful evening while he was nearby in Tourcoing ahead of the game. He urged fans to respect each other’s differences and maintain peace throughout his statement. The French government has been working closely with local authorities to ensure that all football matches are held without any incidents or violence taking place.
Lyon condemned the violence as well, calling for calm among their supporters during future events. They expressed gratitude towards law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe during such high-profile events.
In conclusion, it is crucial for all football fans to maintain peace and respect each other’s differences during games to avoid such violent incidents from happening again in future matches.
