THIS is the shocking moment around 400 people stormed a pitch at an alleged illegal football game in Strasbourg, France.
Despite public gatherings being banned due to coronavirus, local football teams Neuhof and Hautepierre arranged a fixture in which the locals turned out in force.
This is the shocking moment hundreds of fans ran onto the fieldCredit: Golders/Yunss67
The group of fans completely ignored social distancing rulesCredit: Golders/Yunss67
The match, which took place on Sunday, has been slammed by officials quoted in local media saying it was “illegal” because any gathering involving more than 10 people is currently banned.
The move has stunned France and even a virologist, Professor Gilbert Deray, who works at the Paris hospital la Pitie-Salpetriere, took to Twitter to express his dismay, calling the incident a potential “virus bomb”.
The authorities, meanwhile, have vowed to investigate and punish those involved.
The footage reportedly shows fans storming the pitch after a goal was scored, ignoring social distancing as they group together to celebrate.
Ahead of the incidents, city workers had removed the goal posts at various stadiums in the area, but for reasons unknown, those at this stadium, the Paco-Mateo stadium, were not taken away.
Local media report that between 300 and 400 fans showed up for the match, and despite police being there, they were reportedly unable to prevent the gathering because so many people refused to listen to them.
France has begun to loosen lockdown measures, but Strasbourg and the whole of the east of the country remain in the red zone, which is where lockdown measures are supposedly the tightest.
Reports state that the local elected officials in Strasbourg are absolutely furious about the alleged illegal football match.
Serge Oehler, the elected official in charge of sports in Strasbourg, said: “A team of Neuhof football players met a Hautepierre team on a pitch in another district.”
In a Facebook post, Oehler added: “What took place this weekend is irresponsible and serious beyond measure. It is up to us as elected officials to firmly condemn and to act.
“If after viewing it turns out that club supervisors participated in this, there will obviously be a proportionate response.
“A few days earlier, having noted the closure of the parks and gardens, I had alerted them to their necessary reopening, but that cannot excuse this endangerment of the lives of others. Foolishness and irresponsibility can lead to a disastrous health situation on our territory.
The incident happened in Strasbourg between two local teamsCredit: Golders/Yunss67
Rules state no public gatherings of more than ten peopleCredit: Golders/Yunss67
The city council have launched an investigation into the matterCredit: Golders/Yunss67
“Our region and the medical staff do not need it. I ask the people of Strasbourg to show responsibility.
“A few days ago I sent a letter to the clubs asking them to ensure that the non-use of sports equipment is respected and we had the goals and the nets removed where possible.
“COVID-19 is not a point of view, it is a poison, let’s not add stupidity to this death that strikes blindly.”
Neither club has commented on the match.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
