Dhe game in the French soccer league between OGC Nice and Olympique Marseille, which was canceled due to riots between spectators and players, has to be repeated. The disciplinary committee of the league association LFP also decided that the game will take place in a neutral place. In addition to the replay, Nice will have to play two more championship games without spectators, the league association announced. In addition, the fourth place in the championship will be punished with the deduction of two points, one of which is suspended.
For his involvement in the scuffle, Olympique Marseille fitness trainer Pablo Fernandez has been banned for the remainder of the season until June 30, 2022. The OM players Dimitri Payet and Alvaro Gonzalez have to serve one and two game bans respectively.
At the game on August 22nd, 15 minutes before the end of the game, spectators stormed onto the pitch in the Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, leading to arguments between fans and players from both clubs. Objects had been thrown from the stands onto the pitch on a regular basis since the start of the game.
Net for defense against projectiles
When in the 75th minute the former international Payet was hit in the back by a plastic bottle in front of a corner kick, he first sank to the ground. Then he threw several plastic bottles at Nice fans, other teammates joined him. As a result, Nice supporters pushed onto the field, whereupon there were violent arguments between players and club officials. After the storm, the game was interrupted.
After the incidents, the prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes had already blocked the south stand in the stadium in Nice, where the tumult had started, for four home games. In addition, the grandstand should be equipped with a net to protect against projectiles as soon as possible.
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