The Lyon bus was hit on the way to Stade Velodrome, shattering some windows; Lyon manager Fabio Grosso injured by falling shards of glass and needed medical treatment with his face heavily bleeding
Monday 30 October 2023 12:31, UK
Lyon's Ligue 1 match at Marseille was abandoned after the team's bus was attacked.
Lyon manager Fabio Grosso suffered a head injury as the team bus came under attack from fans throwing projectiles before the match.
The Lyon bus was hit on the way to Stade Velodrome, shattering some windows. Grosso was injured by falling shards of glass and needed medical treatment with his face heavily bleeding. He later required 12 stitches.
Lyon assistant coach Raffaele Longo was also injured, as were five police officers. Buses carrying Lyon fans were also attacked.
Nine arrests have been made.
However, it's unlikely the attack will lead to disciplinary sanctions against nine-time French champions Marseille. The attack took place outside the Velodrome stadium, meaning responsibility lies with public authorities and not with the club. The case has been taken over by a French league committee in charge of scheduling competitions, and not by the discipline commission.
Sports Minister Amelia Oudea-Castera called for a 'global response'' and said the French league, the teams and fan groups should all take responsibility. But she and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin defended police protection for the Lyon team even though the measures weren't enough to prevent the attack.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Instagram that "there is absolutely no place for violence in soccer, on or off the pitch" and called on "the competent authorities to ensure that the appropriate measures are taken."
"Without exception, in soccer, all players, coaches and fans must be safe to enjoy our sport," Infantino said.
Marseille issued a statement condemning the attack and wishing 45-year-old Italian Grosso well.
"Olympique de Marseille deplores the unacceptable incidents which took place this evening around the Stade Velodrome, against the professional team bus as well as Olympique Lyonnais supporter buses," the OM statement read.
"The club wishes a speedy recovery to Lyon coach Fabio Grosso and strongly condemns this violent behaviour which has no place in the world of football and in society.
"Due to a handful of mindless people, the game planned for this evening was spoiled and deprived 65,000 supporters of attending a football match.
"The club complies with the decision taken by the LFP and remains at its disposal so that the match which was scheduled for this Sunday, October 29, takes place as quickly as possible and under the best possible conditions at the Stade Velodrome."
Lyon, meanwhile, say they "will file a complaint in the coming days and will support anyone who wishes to do the same".
During his playing days, Grosso famously scored the winning penalty kick for Italy in the shootout victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final.
Both Marseille and Lyon have been under pressure lately.
Despite replacing Marcelino with Gennaro Gattuso as coach in September, Marseille have still been in poor form with one win and three losses in its last four league games.
Lyon are the only team still winless in the league.
Replacing Laurent Blanc with Grosso as coach in September has yet to pay off for Lyon, who sit in last place.
