Lyon return to Marseille feeling angry and scared – but desperate for points | Luke Entwistle
Lyon have been to hell and back … and they are returning again. Their match in Marseille in October was abandoned just minutes before the scheduled kick-off after their team bus was attacked outside the stadium. Fabio Grosso, the Lyon manager at the time, was hit by a projectile as his team travelled to the Vélodrome to face their arch-rivals in the Choc des Olympiques. As images of Grosso’s bloodied and battered face circulated around the globe, the game was called off. Now, six weeks later, Lyon are reluctantly preparing to return to the scene of the crime.
Lyon expected Marseille to face sanctions after the attack, but the punishment was not forthcoming. The LFP, the league’s governing body, said the “incidents” took place in a public space outside of the stadium, so they were unable to sanction Marseille. According to the LFP, the club were “not responsible”.
Lyon were understandably indignant. The club appealed against the decision, stating their “deep shock” at what they perceived as the authorities’ absolution of responsibility. Vincent Ponsot, the Lyon CEO at the time, said the LFP’s inaction was “a political decision”. Grosso, players such as Corentin Tolisso, and even former president Jean-Michel Aulas all hit out at the lack of repercussions for Marseille.
“You can’t be completely exonerated from responsibility,” said Aulas. “Football, the club and the public security services all have a share of responsibility in this affair, especially since it was foreseeable. I ask them to decide with their soul and conscience, but a very heavy sanction is needed. Otherwise, next time, there will be deaths,” warned Aulas.
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Lyon’s various appeals fell on deaf ears. The only sanction came from the Marseille magistrates’ court, which handed 22-year-old man a four-month suspended prison sentence after he was videoed throwing a stone at a Lyon supporters’ bus as it made its way to the Vélodrome. Lyon, already angry about the lack of repercussions, were incensed when the conditions for the rearranged fixture were revealed.
The match will take place at the Vélodrome on Wednesday night with Marseille fans in attendance, but not Lyon fans. “There is a real and serious risk of confrontations between the fans of the two clubs,” said Gérald Darmanin, France’s Interior Minister, as he explained the ban on Lyon fans. He also referenced the way Lyon fans had acted before the original match in October – the LFP is still dealing with claims that Lyon fans made Nazi salutes, and directed homophobic and racist chants towards the home supporters.
Lyon fans are not the only ones who have been prevented from travelling to the Vélodrome since October. Lille were hit with the same ban last month, much to the frustration of their fans. “Lyon stoned, Lille sanctioned!” read a banner unfurled by Lille fans last month.
The absence of away fans will not be the only difference. Lyon have altered their preparations so they arrive at the Vélodrome incognito. The team will not travel in a bus adorned with the club’s colours and crest, but an unmarked vehicle fitted with anti-blast windows. The team will also stay at a different hotel, the location of which remains a secret. The match in October had a significant police presence and there could be double the number of officers on duty this week.
Fabio Grosso was injured in the attack. Photograph: Olivier Chassignole/AFP/Getty Images
Lyon are furious. Ponsot railed against the arrangements in a letter to the local authorities. “There are three things that are expected: a ban on Lyon supporters, a more secure bus with double-glazing and anti-blast, and for our hotel to be chosen for us,” he wrote. “It is therefore our fault. A manager almost loses an eye and the only lesson is that we, Lyon, have to do things differently. If the message is that everything that happens outside the stadium has no consequences, we will have to look after ourselves from now on.”
While Lyon fans will be deprived of the chance to watch their team in Marseille, the squad will make the trip to the Vélodrome begrudgingly. “They told us that everyone would be OK last time,” said Tolisso in the build-up to the game. “What do we do next time if the windows are smashed again? If something worse happens? I’m scared something will happen.”
One person who will not return is Grosso. The Italian manager was sacked last week after just seven games in charge, bringing to an end the shortest managerial reign in Lyon’s history. The bruising on his face from the attack in Marseille had not yet faded when he led out the team for his final match, a defeat against Lille.
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Grosso inherited a mess when he replaced Laurent Blanc in mid-September and he leaves a mess behind. There was plenty of mess in between too. As well as the attack in Marseille, his historically short tenure will also be remembered for the way he lost control of the dressing room, cancelling a training session in October in order to unearth a mole after stories of disunity were leaked to the press.
His results – one victory, two draws and four defeats – leave Lyon glued to the bottom of the table. Pierre Sage has been promoted from the academy to take charge on an interim basis. Reports in France suggest his tenure may be extended after the team put in a promising performance in their 3-2 defeat to Lens at the weekend.
Lyon are desperate for results and, in a roundabout way, their desperation leads them back to the Vélodrome. The idea of boycotting the match against Marseille was reportedly floated at the club. “When we look at the table, we can’t afford to lose on the pitch. If Lyon were higher up the table, it could have gone differently,” said a source close to the club. The battle for survival takes precedence. Lyon’s return to Marseille will provoke various emotions, but they will have to overcome them and begin to dig themselves out of the hole that they themselves have created.
This is an article by Get French Football News
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