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
Lyon’s Ligue 1 match at Marseille has been 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.
French football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, confirmed the match, which had been due to kick off at 1945GMT, was off 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.”
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.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
