French unrest hits football: Marseille & Lille stores looted as clubs condemn violence

Olympique de Marseille and fellow French top-flight club Lille have been hit by looting and vandalism during a weekend of unrest across France, with both clubs condemning the damage to their official stores as authorities moved to tighten security. Marseille confirmed on Monday that its shop on La Canebiere, the city's historic main avenue, had been targeted during the violence. The club said the incident caused significant property damage and forced the temporary closure of the store, which is operated by its commercial partner Puma. Lille, meanwhile, said its downtown store on Rue Faidherbe had suffered extensive vandalism and looting on Saturday. The shop will remain closed until further notice. The incidents came amid some of France's worst unrest in years, with protests over rising living costs and declining public services turning violent in several cities. Thousands of people were arrested as businesses were looted or damaged, while authorities launched cleanup operations across the country.

Marseille condemns attack, imposes temporary store closure

Marseille issued a strong condemnation of the attack on its official store, expressing solidarity with Puma and confirming that the shop would remain temporarily closed. “Olympique de Marseille condemns in the strongest possible terms the acts of violence and looting targeting its official store on the Canebiere and expresses its solidarity with its partner Puma, which operates the store,” the club said in a statement. The club added that supporters could continue visiting its other official outlets in Marseille and would be informed when the damaged store could reopen. The city's authorities also imposed a ban on public gatherings and demonstrations on Monday following the violent protests and looting. The restrictions were scheduled to run from midday until 8 pm local time. The unrest prompted a major cleanup operation on Sunday in cities across France, from Lille in the north to Marseille in the south, as local authorities worked to address the damage caused during the weekend.

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Lille thanks employees and supporters for help

Lille acknowledged the damage to its store and thanked those who offered assistance in the aftermath of the violence. “LOSC would also like to acknowledge and thank everyone who has offered support over the past few hours — first and foremost our store employees, but also the many passersby, fans and non-fans alike, who spontaneously offered their help, a helping hand, and words of comfort,” the club said on Sunday. The impact on the two clubs comes during a busy stretch of European football. Marseille, ninth in the Ligue 1 standings after seven matches, are scheduled to visit Austrian side Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday. Lille, who sit fourth in the French league, are due to host Turkish champions Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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