France duel canceled
Fans seriously injure opposing coach’s face
October 29, 2023, 9:01 p.m
Olympique Marseille supporters attack the opponent’s team bus with stones before the duel with Olympique Lyon. Several windows are smashed – and Lyon coach Fabio Grosso is seriously injured in the face. The game is then canceled.
These are dramatic pictures: The French Ligue 1 game between Olympique Marseille and Olympique Lyon has been canceled. Supporters of the host had thrown stones at the competitor’s team bus. Several windows were smashed and Lyon coach Fabio Grosso was also seriously injured. He reportedly felt unable to coach the game as a reason for canceling the game.
When the bus reached the Stade Vélodrome, a huge hole could be seen on the right side. Coach Grosso, who once scored the deciding goal to make it 1-0 in extra time in the 2006 World Cup semi-final against Germany (2-0), was led through the catacombs with a bleeding face and had to be treated immediately by doctors and bandaged on his head. The Italian is also said to have complained of dizziness.
“He couldn’t hold a conversation, he had broken glass in his face,” reported OL club boss John Textor: “I’m very angry, our players, our coach have prepared for tonight and the fans wanted to see the game.” Lyon did not ask for the game to be canceled, Textor said: “We were ready to play. The decision was not ours because it happened outside the stadium. This is not how football should be played. We support the referee’s decision.” Assistant coach Raffaele Longo is also said to have been injured.
Fan buses also attacked
But that’s not all: three Lyon fan buses were apparently attacked with stones and pyotechnics. There are said to have been minor injuries. According to information from “L’Equipe”, the buses can no longer be used for the return journey to Lyon.
Both clubs have had a poor start to the season, Marseille is eighth in the table. Lyon was hit even harder, the club is in a real crisis. After ten games, Lyon are in last place in Ligue 1 with just four points. Grosso, who played for Lyon from 2007 to 2009, took up his position in mid-September after four games – but the club has only picked up three points since then .
It is not the first time that a game between Marseille and Lyon has been canceled or abandoned. On November 21, 2021, a duel was postponed after a bottle was thrown at Dimitri Payet. Lyon had a point deducted and the game was replayed behind closed doors (Lyon won 2-1). The French league is repeatedly rocked by waves of violence.