Tuesday 18 April 2017 18:33, UK
Bastia have promised 'strong measures' against fans found guilty of causing the half-time abandonment of Sunday's Ligue 1 clash with Lyon.
The Corsican club has decided to close the East Stand at Stade Armand Cesari, where their most vociferous supporters are housed, for the third time this season and they are setting no date for it to be re-opened.
Bastia fans ran onto the pitch and attempted to attack a number of Lyon players before Sunday's game had even begun and, after a delayed kick-off, trouble flared up again at half-time which prompted the abandonment.
The French League's disciplinary committee will meet on Thursday to discuss possible punishment against the club, which could include a points deduction.
Bastia's public prosecutor Nicolas Bessone has already stated his determination to find individuals responsible for the trouble and said jail terms of between three and five years would be meted out to any found guilty, along with stadium bans.
A Bastia statement read: "Following the incidents that marred the Ligue 1 match against Olympique Lyonnais, Sporting Club de Bastia decided, as announced on Sunday evening, to take strong measures to ensure that this type of event can never happen again.
"- The closure until further notice of the East Jojo-Petrignani stand.
"- A stadium ban for all persons involved in the incidents of violence, at least those who can be identified. And for the maximum duration against these individuals as defined by the extent of their actions.
"- Filing a legal complaint against the individuals.
"- The redevelopment of the East Jojo-Petrignani stand to maximise security at Stade Armand Cesari.
"The Sporting Club of Bastia and the vast majority of its supporters refuse to be held hostage by a minority of people and will fight in order to preserve the values of the club and its place among the elite."
