Marseille's Stade Velodrome to be partially closed after crowd trouble
Friday 25 September 2015 08:33, UK
Marseille have been punished for crowd trouble last weekend with a partial closure of their stadium for at least three weeks.
Sunday's fixture against Lyon was suspended for over 20 minutes after missiles, including glass bottles, were thrown on to the Stade Velodrome pitch.
With the visitors leading 1-0 thanks to Alexandre Lacazette's first-half penalty, referee Ruddy Buquet was forced to order both sets of players down the tunnel shortly after the hour mark as missiles began to rain down from a section of the crowd.
As a result of the incident, two areas of Marseille's stadium will be closed off until October 15, when the French League's disciplinary committee will meet again to decide their next move.
Sebastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary committee, told L'Equipe: "In view of the extreme seriousness of the facts - I remind you that glass bottles were launched and the match was interrupted twice - the disciplinary committee has decided to completely close two corners of the Stade Velodrome with immediate effect.
"This is a precautionary measure pending the meeting on October 15, where final decisions will be taken."
Marseille president Vincent Labrune has vowed to tackle the problem head-on, saying: "I take note of the decision of the disciplinary committee. This is a strong message sent to the club.
"It is now up to us to be responsible and to show in the short and long term our ability to improve security in the stadium. The Velodrome must remain a place of celebration. We will meet with supporters on Monday and we will ensure that things change."
It was a bad-tempered affair on the pitch too, with Marseille winger Romain Alessandrini sent off for a 43rd-minute challenge on former OM midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who was also subjected to abuse from sections of the crowd.
Alessandrini will now serve a two-match ban for his red card.
Marseille eventually took a point from the match as defender Karim Rekik equalised once play resumed after the stoppage.
