Lens vs Lille: French league disciplinary committee to meet on Monday to discuss crowd trouble
Saturday's Ligue 1 clash between Lens and Lille marred by crowd trouble; kick-off for second half was delayed by more than 30 minutes after incidents between two sets of fans led to dozens entering field of play and riot police being forced to intervene
Sunday 19 September 2021 14:33, UK
The disciplinary committee of the French League (LFP) will meet on Monday after crowd trouble marred Saturday's Ligue 1 clash between Lens and Lille.
Kick-off for the second half was delayed by more than 30 minutes after incidents between the two sets of fans led to dozens entering the field of play and riot police being forced to intervene.
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The trouble appeared to start when objects were thrown between supporters of the two fierce rivals in the Trannin Stand and soon after a section of home "ultras" entered the pitch from the adjacent Marek Stand.
Police and stewards calmed the situation down and play was able to restart after a delay with 50 officers placed in front of the Marek Stand to avoid any further issues.
Lens went on to win the game 1-0 with a 74th-minute goal from Przemyslaw Frankowski and moved into second spot behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
"The LFP strongly condemns the outbursts, the invasion of the pitch and the violence that occurred during the match between RC Lens and LOSC Lille," the national governing body said in a statement.
"In view of the seriousness of the events, the Disciplinary Committee will meet on Monday 20 September."
It is the second serious incident of crowd trouble in French football this season, with Nice facing a replay of their match against Marseille next month after the initial game had to be abandoned.
Nice were docked two points, one of those suspended, after fans clashed with Marseille players including Dimitri Payet, who was hit with a missile and then threw it back into the crowd.
Supporters then made their way onto the pitch with 15 minutes remaining - Marseille players refused to return and the game will now be played on October 27 at a neutral venue.
