It’s such a common situation in men’s football that it no longer affects many people. However, in women’s football less prone to violent passions in the stands, bans on the movement of supporters are much rarer.
Hence the surprise of OL Lyonnes captain, Wendie Renard, when she learned that Feunottes supporters will not be able to support their team this Saturday in Saint-Étienne for a derby in the round of 16 of the Women’s French Cup.
“I can understand that it is a derby and that it raises certain questions, but for the development of women’s football, I find it unacceptable to slow down our supporters,” she regretted at a press conference this Friday. They are not problem supporters, on the contrary. I find it sad for us. We need to find a good compromise to allow supporters to come and support their team and avoid making decisions that have no reason to be made. Sport must remain a moment of sharing and leisure. »
“Even among boys, things should evolve”
“I can understand that for boys, a derby is different, but today, clearly, we are suffering the consequences of what is happening on their side,” said the French international (164 caps) and captain of OL.
“However, we don’t want to base ourselves on that. And even among boys, things should evolve: football remains a sport, a moment of pleasure, as much for the players as for the supporters. »
Among the boys, the derbies between OL and ASSE have been played without opposing fans for many years, like certain matches considered very high risk and in particular the PSG-OM clasico.
“It’s frustrating and a shame to endure this situation while women’s football is still far from the level of development of men’s football,” continues Renard. We need our supporters, we are fighting to fill the stadiums, and this kind of ban goes against that. »
