SAINT-ÉTIENNE, France – A vibrant atmosphere at Geoffroy-Guichard, the home of AS Saint-Étienne, will be temporarily dimmed as the club faces partial stadium closures following incidents involving flares and lasers during recent matches. The Ligue 2 side will play its upcoming home games against Annecy on March 21st and Dunkerque on April 11th with a section of the stadium closed to supporters.
The disciplinary committee of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) imposed the sanctions after determining that supporters, particularly those in the “kop sud” section, used an excessive number of flares during a match against Laval on February 21st. The use of lasers was also cited as a contributing factor. This led to the revocation of a previously suspended stadium closure order that hung over the Green Angels supporters’ group.
The closure will affect the Jean-Snella tribune for both the Annecy and Dunkerque fixtures. This represents a significant blow to the club and its passionate fanbase, especially after a recent resurgence in form and a renewed connection between the team and its supporters.
This setback comes after a period of positive momentum for Les Verts. Just two months ago, the stadium was described as “vibrating” with energy following a match against Boulogne. The arrival of new head coach Philippe Montanier in February sparked a run of five consecutive victories, lifting Saint-Étienne to second place in Ligue 2 – five points ahead of third-placed Mans. The team had begun to fully enjoy the fervent atmosphere created by its supporters at Geoffroy-Guichard.
The incident at the Laval match, where the “kop sud” displayed elaborate displays alongside the flares, ultimately proved costly. The LFP deemed the number of flares used to be excessive, triggering the enforcement of the suspended stadium closure. For fans unfamiliar with French football terminology, a “kop” refers to a dedicated section of the stadium typically occupied by the most vocal and passionate supporters.
The decision by the LFP underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining safety and order within stadiums. While fan displays and passionate support are encouraged, the use of pyrotechnics and lasers is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns. These types of incidents can create dangerous situations for players, officials, and fellow spectators.
Saint-Étienne’s current standing in Ligue 2 makes these upcoming matches particularly crucial. The team is firmly in contention for promotion back to Ligue 1, and maintaining their home form will be vital to achieving that goal. The absence of a significant portion of their support will undoubtedly present a challenge, but Montanier will be hoping his team can overcome this obstacle and continue their push for promotion.
The club has yet to release an official statement regarding the sanctions, but This proves expected to cooperate fully with the LFP and work with supporters to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The focus now shifts to preparing for the match against Annecy on March 21st, where Saint-Étienne will seem to demonstrate their resilience despite the reduced capacity at Geoffroy-Guichard.
The next confirmed checkpoint for AS Saint-Étienne is their Ligue 2 match against Annecy on March 21st at 20:00 CET (8:00 PM CET). Fans can uncover the latest updates and official statements on the club’s official website: https://www.asse.fr/
