Indications in France have shown that Olympique de Marseille may not be sanctioned after their Ligue 1 encounter against Olympique Lyonnais was called off after fans of the former attached the team bus of the latter.
This follows the latest report by L’Équipe that says Les Phocéens are set to escape sporting sanctions over the incident that left Lyon manager Fabio Grosso badly injured.
Lyon’s team bus was attacked on the way to the Véldrome on Sunday night, leading to the match’s cancellation.
OL owner John Textor said a beer bottle struck the Italian manager after projectiles had smashed the glass of the team bus.
However, despite the scenes of violence, OM could reportedly escape any sporting sanctions mainly because the events took place outside the stadium, making them not responsible.
This has left the LFP’s disciplinary commission powerless as they will not be able to hand out any sanctions, as it falls outside of their jurisdiction.
It is now expected that a future date will be announced for a rescheduled fixture.
Reacting to the incident, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, in a post on Instagram, expressed public condemnation of the violence that took place last night in Marseille.
Speaking further, the FIFA boss l said there is no place for violence in football.
In a post with a photo of Lyon manager Fabio Grosso, who sustained a bloody facial injury and concussion after Les Gones’ said it
“In football, all players, coaches, and supporters must be safe to enjoy our sport,” he firmly declared.
He, therefore, called on all the competent authorities to make sure that the appropriate measures were taken.
He also pointed out that in football, without exception, all players, coaches, and supporters have to be safe to enjoy the sport.
Lyon’s Ultras, who were with French flags, also used the opportunity to engage in racist and Islamophobic chants directed at the South Winners. They were exacerbating tensions within the stadium between the two Olympiques and their ultras.
Written by Oladipupo Mojeed
