Football: brawl, death threats and weapons displayed after a U17 match between Grenoble and Lyon

Both clubs expressed their indignation at the excesses that occurred at the final whistle. The end of the youth match between Grenoble and Lyon in the U17 category degenerated this Sunday in Isère, where a fight broke out, death threats were made and weapons were displayed. Olympique Lyonnais defeated (1-0) on the Grenoble Foot 38 field announced its intention to challenge the French Football Federation “as organizer of the competition”. The Isère club plans to file a complaint against the troublemakers it says are external.

These young people, massed at the edge of the field, thus spoiled a meeting which had until then taken place without incident, according to Le Progrès. Throughout the match, they allegedly increased the insults against a Lyon player, who went to ask them to account at the final whistle. A fight then broke out, during which the young footballer allegedly received blows with a stick. He was threatened with death as were some of his teammates and members of the management led by former professional player Florent Balmont. Bladed weapons and a pistol, without knowing whether it was an imitation weapon or not, were exhibited

“The security conditions were not met”

“These extremely serious actions cannot be tolerated in football,” protested Olympique Lyonnais. The club immediately mobilized its legal teams and lawyer to support the victims in their efforts and initiate legal proceedings. » The Lyon club considers that “the security conditions were not met by the organizers of the meeting and that the integrity of the players and staff of its Academy was compromised”. Some players had to take refuge in the locker rooms, others in the club minibus, indicates Le Progrès.

For its part, Grenoble Foot 38 wanted to “express its total disapproval following the excesses that occurred at the end of the meeting”. “The club condemns with the greatest firmness all the violent behavior and actions contrary to the fundamental values ​​of sport which may have occurred subsequent to this meeting” he added, specifying “to fully disassociate itself from these actions” committed by “individuals having no connection with the club”. The latter quickly fled after the incident on an electric scooter.