The Lyon bus was hit on the way to Stade Velodrome. Some windows were shattered, and Lyon manager Fabio Grosso was injured. He needed medical treatment as his face was heavily bleeding.
The match between Lyon and Marseille in Ligue 1 was canceled because the bus carrying Lyon’s team was attacked.
Lyon manager Fabio Grosso was injured when fans attacked the team bus before the match.
The Lyon bus was hit on the way to Stade Velodrome, breaking some windows. Grosso was hurt by the glass and he was bleeding from his face. He had to go to the doctor and get 12 stitches.
Seven people have been arrested.
The French football governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, confirmed that the match, originally scheduled for 7:45pm, was canceled after an emergency meeting.
Its statement read: “During the crisis unit meeting following the incidents that occurred outside the Stade Velodrome on the route of its bus, Olympique Lyonnais made known its opposition to taking part in the match given the circumstances.
“In consultation with Olympique de Marseille and the public authorities, the OM-OL match will therefore not be played this evening at 8.45pm.
“It will now be up to the Competitions Commission to decide on the fate of this match by application of article 544 of the competition regulations.”
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 will file a complaint soon and will support anyone who wants to do the same.
During his career, Grosso scored the decisive penalty kick for Italy in the shootout that led to their victory over France in the 2006 World Cup final.
Both Marseille and Lyon have been feeling stressed recently.
Despite replacing Marcelino with Gennaro Gattuso as coach in September, Marseille have still been in poor form with only one win and three losses in its last four league games.
Lyon has not won a single game in the league yet.
Replacing Laurent Blanc with Grosso as coach in September has not helped Lyon yet, they are currently in last place.
World of sports 
Leave a comment