After Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille’s “umpteenth draw at home against Bordeaux,” the players and President Vincent Labrune “experienced nightmarish difficulties in their attempts to leave the Vélodrome Stadium,” according to Christian Moedine of LE FIGARO. Supporter unrest has been brewing in Marseille because the club has not won a league match since Feb. 2, and has not won at home since September. Labrune was the “first to experience the supporters' hatred.” While attending the match, Labrune was “noticeably panicked” when a number of fans attempted to force their way into the VIP area. Ultimately, the attempted attack was “brought under control thanks to the vigilance of security personnel.” Facing more turmoil after the match, officials "decided to lock down the stadium." Until 12:15am, stadium officials were told to “not let anyone leave.” Players, coaching staff and journalists were “confined to the inside of the stadium.” A “wise decision” because later in the night a number of supporters assembled in the Vélodrome courtyard in an attempt to “literally do battle with Labrune.” The players were “forced to leave the stadium in an unmarked bus,” and all left “under police escort” (LE FIGARO, 4/11).
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FIVE FANS ARRESTED: The AP reported police “arrested five people after clashes involving Marseille supporters following another lackluster performance from the struggling French club.” Three fans were arrested inside the Vélodrome “after they threw flares.” The “two other arrested threw projectiles at police forces outside.” Five policemen “were slightly injured in a scuffle outside the stadium that involved around 1,000 people.” Fans also showed their discontent by “displaying hostile banners to club officials and players while police had to intervene to prevent a pitch invasion as the match drew to a close” (
AP, 4/11).
