Saturday, September 18, 2021
Ligue 1 duel interrupted
Fans storm space and fight
The northern derby in the French soccer league is overshadowed by violent arguments. Fans of Lille and Lens storm the square and fight scuffle. Several injured have to be hospitalized. The game is paused, but finally resumed.
In France, fans of both clubs stormed the field and engaged in scuffle at the first division game between RC Lens and soccer champions OSC Lille. Several blood-soaked injuries had to be evacuated from the Lens stadium by ambulance, reported the broadcaster “France bleu”, citing its reporter in the stadium. The prefecture spoke of slightly injured people. The riot police pushed the rioters back.
After discussions about the crisis, the northern derby was continued half an hour late and ended 1-0 (0-0) for the hosts thanks to Przemyslaw Frankowski’s goal (74th). OSC Lille are Champions League opponents of VfL Wolfsburg.
The outbreak of violence occurred at the end of the first half when fans of the Lille OSC wanted to have a showdown with the supporters from Lens, the broadcaster reported. Then Lens fans stormed the field. There were scuffles while Lille fans threw stadium seats at the opposing fans and the police from the stands.
For the first time in eleven years, a duel between the rivals
The conflict was fueled by the fact that the fans have been able to return to the stadium for a long time due to the corona, reported the broadcaster “France Info”. In addition, there was a clash between the two rival clubs from the north in Ligue 1 with fans for the first time in eleven years. Lens was promoted in the preseason, but the games had taken place without spectators.
The clashes in the Stade Bollaert-Delelis are reminiscent of the riots at the game OGC Nice Nice against Olympique Marseille, which was canceled just under a month ago, when fans also stormed the pitch and had fights. However, the game in Lens continued under increased security measures and the threat of abandonment.