After fan death: “Football can’t go on like this”

After the death of a football fan in France during riots before a first division game, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra announced radical measures.

04 December 2023

From: dpa

“This cannot continue like this in football,” the minister told France Info broadcaster in Paris on Monday. “Basta, that’s enough.” The minister was outraged that it was unacceptable that the police were overloaded, property was damaged, team buses were attacked, people were injured and now one person was killed because of riots in football. A radical situation would have to be followed by radical measures. This means that the arrival of fans can be restricted for high-risk games.

A 31-year-old football fan was fatally injured on Saturday evening before the first division game between FC Nantes and OGC Nice. Apparently there were arguments between both fan groups. The Nantes fan collapsed and died despite the quick intervention of the emergency services.

Recurrent violence in France

Recently there have been repeated violent clashes on the sidelines of football matches in France. At the end of October, for example, the Olympique Lyon team bus was attacked with stones in Marseille, and Lyon's then coach Fabio Grosso was hit in the head.