French football in turmoil over Lyon bus attack

France Five police officers were injured and nine extremists were arrested in connection with the attack that left many members of Lyon club - including head coach Fabio Grosso - bloody.

The incident happened when Lyon visited Marseille in the 10th round of Ligue I on Sunday night, October 29. A group of home fans used bricks, stones, and sticks to break the window of the bus carrying Lyon members on the way to the Velodrome stadium.

Debris flew everywhere, causing injuries to many people, the most serious of which was probably Coach Grosso. Images published by the French media showed the Italian strategist's face covered in blood. He had to seek medical attention at the scene, then go to the hospital and receive 12 stitches.

Grosso's assistant, Raffaele Longo, also suffered an eye injury, the severity of which is unknown.

Coach Gross's blood-stained face on the front page of L'Equipe. Screenshot

A convoy of six vehicles carrying Lyon fans was also attacked but there was no serious damage. Inside the stadium, another group of home fans tried to break down the mesh fence separating the stands from the playing area. The match was subsequently cancelled.

Today, French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera described the actions of Marseille fans as "rebellious" and "disgusting". She called for a comprehensive and uncompromising response from all parties involved, from the French Football Federation to fan associations and clubs.

The country's leading sports newspaper, L'Equipe, published a photo of coach Gross on its front page, using words like "disgusting" and "shameful" to describe the incident, and said that French football had "fallen into a new crisis".

Marseille president Pablo Longoria described the attack as "unacceptable", saying such actions do not represent the club and do not deserve a place in the world of football or society.

The car carrying Lyon members had most of the left side window broken. Photo: L'Equipe

Grosso was part of the Italy team that won the 2006 World Cup. He was appointed just a month ago, replacing former France and Man Utd international Laurent Blanc. However, Lyon's form has not improved, picking up just one point from four games since then. Marseille have won three games this season and are ninth. There is a great rivalry between the two teams, dating back to 1945.

French football has a history of riots. Most recently, on October 9, the match between Montpellier and Clermont Foot in round 8 of Ligue 1 had to be postponed when the home team was leading 4-2, after a fan threw a flare onto the pitch and hit the away team's goalkeeper Mory Diaw.

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