Shocking moment two buses are seen burning and fans are ‘injured by armed PSG supporters’ ahead of the French Cup final… as president Emmanuel Macron condemns violence
Lyon has urged fans to take legal action after clashes with Paris Saint-Germain supporters ahead of Saturday’s French Cup final.
Clashes broke out on the highway as fans headed to the match at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
Footage on social media showed two buses on fire at a motorway toll gate at Fresnes-les-Montauban, near Arras, in northern France.
The incidents took place approximately 100 kilometers away from the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Video footage showed supporters surrounding buses, throwing flares and reportedly smashing windows.
Two buses were set on fire when Lyon and PSG supporters clashed ahead of the French Cup final
The incidents took place on a highway while supporters were on their way to the final in Lille
Footage on social media showed supporters surrounding buses with rival fans
According to police sources, the clashes reportedly involved 100 Lyon supporters and 200 PSG fans, as reported by AFP.
About twenty supporters were injured in the clashes, while eight police officers were reportedly injured.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended the final, condemned the violence.
“These are sporting events where you should above all be cheerful and sporty,” Macron said.
“I strongly condemn all violence.”
Northern Region Police Prefect Bertrand Gaume confirmed that 10 arrests had been made around the final, while noting that “violent brawls” had taken place between supporters traveling on the buses.
‘[One] of the two teams (of supporters) were on time and arrived at the indicated location,” he said, as reported by RMC Sports.
Videos posted online show flares thrown at buses during ‘violent clashes’
‘The other team arrived at the wrong place at bad timing and saw the opponent’s supporters. They came out to attack them.
‘Very violent fights took place, which led to police intervention.’
The match was reported to have posed the greatest security risk given the frequent clashes between PSG and Lyon ultras in the past.
Lyon thanked the police for their intervention and promised to support their fans in any legal action they take following the violence.
‘The club would like to return to a number of factual points and encourages victims to make a complaint today to shed light on these events. The club is also ready to support victims in their proceedings,” the club statement said.
‘Olympique Lyonnais recalls that the buses chartered by the supporters of KOP Virage Nord went to the appropriate meeting point for the police escort, where they were met by the police, with, for some, delays after a traffic accident during the departure.
‘For reasons yet to be determined, the police escort decided to pass seven Lyon carriages among the eighteen Parisian carriages that had gathered at the Fresnes toll booth, while all interested parties had been working for two months to separate the flows.
‘Following this apparent deception, violence broke out without its origins being clearly identified. We hope that the video surveillance images will make it possible to trace all the facts. Several OL supporters were injured, mainly by armed PSG supporters. A bus from Lyon was set on fire after smoke bombs were thrown inside.
‘Olympique Lyonnais would like to thank the police and passengers who had the good reflexes to quickly remove people, especially young children, from the bus and thus prevent tragedies. OL indicates that it will become a civil party in all proceedings that are opened.’
French football has seen several high-profile incidents of fan violence throughout the season.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended the final, condemned the violence
There was a large police presence at the final in Lille due to previous clashes between fans
Ten fans have reportedly been arrested by police over incidents surrounding the French Cup final
PSG secured a 2-1 victory over their rivals to lift the French Cup in Kylian Mbappe’s last match
Earlier this season, a match in Lyon was canceled after their team coach was hit by stones thrown by Marseille fans. Then-manager Fabio Grosso required 13 stitches in the area around his left eye after suffering facial injuries.
A match between Montpellier and Clermont was abandoned in October after fireworks were thrown at the latter’s goalkeeper in stoppage time.
A Nantes supporter was stabbed to death in December ahead of their match against Nice, while fighting broke out between Rennes and Toulouse in the streets before a match last month.
The incidents come ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, where a major security operation is expected to take place.
Saturday’s final, in which PSG defeated Lyon 2-1, was held in Lille instead of Paris as the Stade de France prepared for the Olympics.