In the latest episode of fan violence in French soccer, supporters of Saint-Etienne stormed the field Sunday and attacked players with flares immediately after a loss that relegated the once-mighty club out of Ligue 1.
As the game ended, Saint-Etienne released a statement sharing “the immense pain and sadness of all those who love the Greens.”A short time later, the club issued another statement saying it “strongly condemns” the pitch invasion and “will initiate the necessary legal proceedings.”
Saint-Etienne has not spent a season in the second-rung Ligue 2 since 2003-04. The club set the Ligue 1 record with 10 titles, but the most recent came in 1981. Paris Saint-Germain, the league’s reigning powerhouse, tied that record this year.Sunday marked the end of a French season that has been plagued by violence.
Elsewhere in the league, Marseille midfielder Dimitri Payet twice was hit this season by water bottles thrown by opposing fans. One of those episodes saw fans from host Nice storm the field as
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH: Saint-Etienne Fans Storm Pitch, Throw Flares at Own PlayersAfter Saint-Etienne was relegated to Ligue 2 in France, the team’s supporters rushed the pitch and launched flares as players ran to the dressing room for safety.
Read more »
Liverpool fans caused initial problems at Champions League final, says French ministerFrance's sports minister said on Monday Liverpool fans without valid tickets were responsible for initial crowd problems at the Champions League final, with the problem then exacerbated by local youths trying to force their way in to the game.
Read more »
2 extremely rare leopard cubs born at Saint Louis ZooThe Amur leopard is considered one of the rarest and most endangered cats in the world, the zoo said when announcing the female cubs.
Read more »
China's Zheng continues French Open run in city of dreamsZheng Qinwen grew up seeing Eiffel Tower pictures in her school books and the Chinese teenager is carving out a path to success in the city of dreams with her blazing run at the French Open.
Read more »
At French Open, Carlos Alcaraz is a star-in-waiting who may not wait much longerWith 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero in his box, Carlos Alcaraz has stormed into the tournament's fourth round.
Read more »