Sporadic incidents broke out Thursday evening in front of the Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu (Rhône) after Lyon’s defeat against Besiktas Istanbul (0-1) in the Europa League, with the police using tear gas to disperse Lyon supporters.
The incidents began when Lyon supporters, between 1,500 and 2,000, according to a police source, gathered in front of the stadium square to wait for around a hundred Turkish supporters who had attended the match in the VIP stand (families of players and club officials) and celebrated their club’s victory.
The police then intervened to disperse the OL supporters gathered on the square and who wanted to enter the enclosure. They used tear gas after receiving projectiles. The incidents lasted around ten minutes and calm then returned after the supporters dispersed, according to the police source.
Some police officers were slightly injured. “Investigations are underway to identify those responsible for these disturbances, who will be subject to prosecution,” indicated the Rhône prefecture in a message on the social network X.
Eight Turkish fans arrested
The meeting was classified at a very high level of risk with reinforced security due to serious incidents between ultra supporters of the two clubs in April 2017 during a quarter-final first leg of the Europa League.
The prefecture had issued an order to prohibit Besiktas fans from traveling from Wednesday to Friday in the center of Lyon, train stations and airports as well as at motorway toll booths in the city.
The ban also applied to access to the stadium and its surroundings on the evening of the match. Firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices and alcohol were also banned from the perimeter.
The prefecture indicated Thursday evening that eight arrests had been made for non-compliance with the prefectural decree targeting Turkish supporters.