NOT only did Paris Saint-Germain suffer their first defeat of the season in Ligue 1, Lionel Messi and company were unable to leave the Rennes Roazhon Park Stadium because of ugly clashes outside the stadium.
This is the latest episode in an increasingly long list of unseemly events that have marred the return of fans in French football.
It was just on Thursday night there was a clash between fans of Marseille and Galatasaray in the Europa League that cased the game to be stopped as flares were thrown by both sets of fans.
The most significant clash came on August 22 that also involved Marseille and Nice that forced the match to be abandoned.
Last week there was a pitch invasion in the match between Angers and Marseille with 16 Bordeaux suffering minor injuries.
For PSG players it was like rubbing salt on their wounds after being beaten 2-0 by Rennes with goals from Gaetan Laborde and Flavien Tait.
The authorities have come down hard on the clubs for the abhorrant behaviour of their fans.
Nice, who were docked a point, were also ordered to play their next three Ligue 1 matches behind closed doors while Lens will have to bar fans for an undetermined period following clashes with Lille fans last month.
If these untoward situations continue, fans may just be banned from Ligue 1 matches which could have huge financial implications on the clubs. - Agencies, October 4, 2021
