France Ligue 1

AN FC Nantes supporter was stabbed to death after violence broke out ahead of the club’s Ligue 1 fixture with Nice on Saturday.A group of Nantes supporters are understood to have attacked Nice fans who were on their way to the Stade de la Beaujoire shortly before 8pm local time.
A Nantes fan lost their life after being stabbed to death prior to the club’s Ligue 1 fixture with Nice on SaturdayCredit: Getty
Violence broke out between the two sets of supporters along the Cours des Cinquante-Otages, one of the main roads that leads to the Stade de la BeaujoireCredit: Getty
The victim, 31, was reportedly a member of the club’s most notorious fan group, Brigade LoireCredit: AFP
The victim, 31, was killed by a taxi driver after attacking his vehicle full of Nice supporters, according to French outlet Ouest.
The report adds that cars were being shaken as they travelled along the Cours des Cinquante-Otages, one of the main roads that leads to the stadium.
The taxi driver reportedly stabbed the victim in the back as the attack broke out between the two sets of fans outside the Saint Georges Bar near the ground.
The assailant has now subsequently turned himself in.
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According to Get French Football News, the Nantes fan was a member of the club’s most notorious fan group, Brigade Loire.
It’s been reported that responders attempted to give him CPR after arriving at the scene, before transferring him to the University Hospital of Nantes where he subsequently passed away.
Speaking to French media, Nantes public prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said: “Shortly before 8.00pm, several vehicles carrying Nice supporters were attacked by FC Nantes supporters.
“During these events, in circumstances which remain to be determined, a 31-year-old man, a FC Nantes supporter, collapsed.
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“The very first forensic investigations show that the victim had a wound on his back, possibly caused by a bladed weapon.”
Nantes have also issued a statement following the incident.
It read: “In circumstances which are the subject of an ongoing legal investigation, the 31-year-old collapsed, hit in the back.
“Despite the intervention of emergency services, the supporter could not be saved.
“The Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced that an investigation into intentional homicide has been opened.
“Numerous witness interviews are underway and will continue into the night.
“The Club can only deplore that a person lost their life in such circumstances.”
“FC Nantes would like to express its most sincere condolences to the victim’s family and those close to them.”
Despite the incident, the match still went ahead as the home side recorded a 1-0 victory – inflicting Nice’s first league defeat of the season.
However, there were muted scenes inside the stadium as news broke out.
After the game, Nantes manager Jocelyn Gourvennec said, per Ouest: “I only found out after the match.
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“I can’t imagine that we come to see a football match, sometimes as a family, and that we could be between life and death.
“The players talked about it a lot in the locker room. We will pray for him.”
Nantes ran out 1-0 winners as they ended Nice’s unbeaten start to the seasonCredit: AFP
There were muted scenes inside the stadium following the incidentCredit: Getty More

FABIO GROSSO has been sacked as manager of Lyon.The Italy legend, who won the World Cup with the Azzuri in 2006, endured a torrid time in charge of the French giants.
Grosso has been sacked, according to L’EquipeCredit: AFP
He suffered horror injuries as a result on Lyon’s team bus by Marseille fansCredit: Sky Sports
After taking over from Laurent Blanc in September, the Italian managed just one win from seven league games in charge.
He had been managing recent games with a visibly bruised and stitched face following an attack on the Lyon team bus by Marseille fans in October.
The Italian was lucky not to lose his eyesight after suffering a huge gash above his eye when stones thrown by hooligans shattered the team bus’ windows prior to the match.
After returning from his injuries, Grosso recorded his first win as Lyon coach in a 1-0 victory over Rennes prior to the international break.
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But a 2-0 defeat to Lille this weekend was judged to be the final straw by the Lyon board.
L’Equipe report that he was dismissed by American owner John Textor following a meeting this morning.
Despite receiving Textor’s public backing last week, Grosso’s position in the Lyon dressing room was reportedly weakened by his treatment of senior stars Alexandre Lacazette and Ryan Cherki.
The seven-time French champions are currently rooted to the bottom of Ligue 1 and are five points off safety.
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Pierre Sage will take interim charge of the club this weekend.
Current favourites to take over from Grosso on a permanent basis are former Marseille coaches Jorge Sampaoli and Igor Tudor as well as former Lyon coach Bruno Genesio.
Lyon travel to Lens this week as they look to get some crucial points on the board in their battle to stay up this season. More

LYON manager Fabio Grosso has shared a photograph of the injuries he sustained during a bus attack on Sunday.The 45-year-old was left with a bloodied face after stones and glass bottles shattered a window on Lyon’s team bus.
Fabio Grosso suffered horrific facial injuries after being hit by shards of glass in a bus attackCredit: AFP
He received treatment after arriving at the Stade Velodrome
The windows on Lyon’s team bus were completely smashed by stones and bottlesCredit: AFP
The incident occurred while the Ligue 1 side were on their way to face Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.
Grosso was hit by shards of glass from the smashed window and he required emergency treatment after arriving at the Stadium.
Shortly after the incident he was pictured on a stretcher with a severe cut just above his eye.
And the extent of his injury was revealed on Monday morning.
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A new photograph shows the Lyon boss with stitches around his eye and on his eyelid.
He required 13 stitches in total after being treated.
Grosso’s assistant, Raffaelle Longo, was also injured.
Nine people have now been arrested by French police in connection with the attack.
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Grosso required stitches around his eye and on his eyelidCredit: Sky Sports
He needed 13 stitches in totalCredit: AFP
Police are also searching for other suspects.
The match between Marseille and Lyon was postponed after the incident.
Lyon president John Textor was left furious and told Prime Video: “He (Grosso) can’t hold a conversation, he had shards of glass in his face.
“I’m very angry. Our players, our coach prepared for tonight and the fans wanted to see the game played.
“Once the window was broken, other projectiles hit him, just above the eye. There were beer bottles, which hit him on the forehead.”
Marseille later issued a club statement to condemn the actions of the fans involved.
It read: “Olympique de Marseille deplores the unacceptable incidents that took place this evening in the vicinity of the Stade Orange Vélodrome, involving the official team bus and buses of the supporters of Olympique Lyonnais.
“The club wishes Lyon coach Fabio Grosso a speedy recovery and strongly condemns this violent behaviour, which has no place in the world of football or in society.
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“Because of a handful of thoughtless people, the party planned for this evening has been ruined and 65,000 fans have been deprived of attending a football match.
“The club complies with the decision taken by the Ligue de Football Professionnel and is at its disposal to ensure that the match scheduled for Sunday 29 October takes place at the Stade Orange Vélodrome as soon as possible and under the best possible conditions.” More