Macron condemns violence before PSG-Lyon final
Credit to Author: ESPN News Services| Date: Sat, 25 May 2024 16:55:43 EST
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence as Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain supporters clashed on a highway leading to the venue of the Coupe de France (French Cup) final a few hours before kickoff on Saturday.
Supporters threw flares and windows were smashed on buses full of supporters.
The final was deemed a very high security risk by the national police division for the fight against hooliganism, which put the threat level at five on a scale of five, according to RMC Sport.
The local prefecture said police had “quickly put an end” to the clashes. In a post on X, it also confirmed buses had been damaged.
“These are sporting events which should be about joy and sport, I condemn this violence with the greatest firmness,” French President Emmanuel Macron, who is due to attend the final, told BFM TV.
“I hope things will go as normally as possible this evening,” he added.
Lyon and PSG ultras have a long-standing rivalry and were expected to travel to Villeneuve d’Ascq for the final.
The French Cup final was relocated to Stade Pierre Mauroy in the north of France because of preparations in Paris for the Olympic Games.
Violence has stained French football all season.
A Nantes supporter was stabbed to death by a driver whose vehicle was carrying Nice supporters before a league game in December.
A league game between Montpellier and Clermont was abandoned in October after a Montpellier supporter threw onto the field a firecracker which exploded near Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw.
Also in October, a league game between Marseille and Lyon was postponed after then Lyon coach Fabio Grosso suffered a serious head injury when the team bus was hit by thrown objects on the way to Stade Velodrome, shattering some windows. Grosso’s deep cut above his left eye required stitches and he wore a large bandage around his head. Inside the stadium, Lyon supporters were also seen making Nazi salutes and monkey gestures.
Ultras have been targeting buses carrying supporters and there have been more than a dozen attacks this season.
PSG are aiming to end the season with a domestic treble by winning the French Cup, having already won the Ligue 1 title and clinched the French Super Cup in January.
Kylian Mbappé, PSG’s all-time highest goalscorer, is also set to play his final match for the club on Saturday, ending a seven-year stay during which he helped them win the league six times.
Information from The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.