Macron Condemns Violence Between Football Fans Before Cup Final

French President Macron condemned pre-match violence involving Lyon and PSG fans. Clashes occurred at a toll plaza, resulting in minor injuries and disrupted traffic. Macron urged for a peaceful atmosphere during the match, while local authorities implemented strict measures to manage fan behavior and alcohol consumption around the venue.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned incidents of violence involving football fans on their way to the French football cup final, a match in which he is set to participate. The confrontations occurred on Saturday at a motorway toll plaza between supporters of Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), approximately 60 km from Lille, where the final is being held. This clash was prompted by the Stade de France being prepared for the upcoming Olympics.

According to police reports, about 100 Lyon fans clashed with around 200 PSG supporters, resulting in the burning of two coaches. Additionally, a regional police source noted that 20 fans sustained minor injuries during the disturbances. The altercations led to significant traffic disruptions on the A1 highway, affecting travel in both directions.

While engaging with the public in Tourcoing prior to the match, Macron expressed his strong disapproval of the violence, stating, “I hope that things will go as normally as possible this evening.” Local authorities enforced stringent measures for crowd management, establishing restrictions to maintain order as fans from both teams gathered in Lille.

To minimize risk, fans are prohibited from leaving designated areas near the stadium until 4:00 am on Sunday. Furthermore, public consumption of alcohol in glass or metal containers is banned until the same time, reflecting the heightened security measures in anticipation of yesterday’s high-stakes matchup.

Original Source: www.france24.com