French government strongly condemned the weekend’s violence near the Marseille stadium, describing it as “disgusting.” They reported that nine individuals were arrested following an attack on Lyon’s bus and an injury to their manager, Fabio Grosso.
The scheduled Ligue 1 match between the long-standing rival teams, who have a history of fan violence, had to be cancelled.
During the incident, Lyon’s manager, Fabio Grosso, was left with injuries, bloodied and disoriented as shards of glass struck him in the face and scalp when rocks were thrown at the team’s bus.
“We have seen just about everything you would not want to see,” Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera told France 2 TV on Monday, adding that fans had also allegedly been chanting anti-gay and racist slurs inside Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.
“It was distressing, revolting, and disgusting.”
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed that nine individuals have been apprehended thus far in relation to the incident.
“I hope the highest possible prison sentences will be handed out to those fans who ruined the party for everyone,” he added on BFM TV.
Potential sanctions on the clubs would depend on the football authorities, he said.
Darmanin denied that authorities had failed to prepare for the risk, saying 500 police officers were present.