(Reuters) – The Ligue 1 match between Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais had to be cancelled on Sunday due to an unfortunate incident that occurred as Lyon’s team bus was on its way to the Stade Velodrome. Footage from SkyItalia clearly shows the bus windows damaged and Lyon coach Fabio Grosso being assisted into the stadium by two individuals. Grosso can be seen covering his face with blood-stained hands.
This regrettable event took place just moments before the match was scheduled to start, leading to the decision of calling off the game. It is truly unfortunate that such behavior occurred, causing harm and disruption to the teams involved and the fans eagerly awaiting the match.
The authorities are currently investigating the incident and will take appropriate action against those responsible for this act of violence. The safety and security of all individuals involved in sporting events is of utmost importance and incidents like these should be strongly condemned.
Lyon will undoubtedly lodge a complaint regarding the attack on their team bus, and the relevant authorities will thoroughly investigate the matter. It is crucial to identify and hold accountable those responsible for this cowardly act to prevent such instances from happening in the future.
We hope that both teams, Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais, will recover from this unfortunate incident and find a suitable date to reschedule the match. It is disappointing that the fans, who were looking forward to an exciting game, had to witness this incident.
Once the investigations are concluded, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the individuals involved. Acts of violence within sports not only tarnish the image of the game, but they also put the safety and well-being of players, coaches, and fans at risk.
The Ligue 1 authorities and clubs must work together to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future, and that adequate measures are in place to guarantee the safety of all those involved. The fans deserve better than to be subjected to such acts of violence.
We express our solidarity with Lyon and Marseille during this difficult time, and we hope that the guilty parties are swiftly brought to justice. Violence has no place in sports, and it is essential that we work together to eradicate it from all levels of the game.
We extend our best wishes to Fabio Grosso, hoping for his swift recovery from the injuries sustained during the incident. It is a stark reminder of the need for increased security measures to protect the players and staff who devote themselves to the beautiful game.
We trust that measures will be taken to prevent such incidents and ensure that future matches are conducted in a safe and secure environment. It is important to preserve the integrity and spirit of the sport, which thrives on fair competition and the positive experiences it creates.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this regrettable incident, and we look forward to witnessing a return to normalcy and the enjoyment of football in a peaceful atmosphere.
(Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
