Photo: Jean-Philippe Ksiazek / AFP / Getty Images
The French Saint-Etienne relegated to Ligue 2 for the first time from 2005 and his public reacted in the worst possible way to relegation: invaded the field and launched flares at rival players.
The series between Saint-Etienne and Auxerre went to penalties. The winner, to Ligue 1 next season… and the loser to Ligue 2. The local team finished third from last in Ligue 1, which is why they had to play the playoffs to stay in the highest category of French football.
Auxerre finished third in Ligue 2 and played their last chance for promotion, which they did not miss. After the last penalty that sentenced Saint-Etienne, the public went crazy.
In a matter of seconds the public He entered the camp without any opposition from members of security. The players immediately began to run towards the locker room area to take cover. The flares flying through the air take center stage and generate terror in the stadium.
From nervousness to incidents. All in 50 seconds. Saint-Étienne 🇫🇷 relegation, field invasion and launch of flares at Auxerre players.pic.twitter.com/gqgmSC05w3
— VarskySports (@VarskySports) May 34,
Another video shows players from both teams affected by the flares, as well as the appearance of the shock forces to repress the fans who they were wreaking havoc on the field.
The images are unfortunate. Violence in European football following relegation. Surely the sanctions will not wait.