Lyon Vs Marseille Match Was Stopped After Payet's Head Was Hit By A Fan's Bottle

Dimitri Payet

JAKARTA - The French League match was again stopped because of the actions of supporters when Olympique Lyon hosted Marseille at the Groupama Stadium, Sunday local time (Monday WIB).

It had only been five minutes since Marseille striker Dimitri Payet was preparing for a corner but then fell after being hit by a bottle from a fan.

As reported by Antara, Monday, November 22, referee Ruddy Buquet immediately responded to the incident, who ordered both teams to enter the locker room, while Payet left the field with a compress on his head.

Announcements at the stadium initially stated the match would resume and Lyon's players warmed up again on the pitch.

However, the Marseille players chose to remain in the dressing room before referee Ruddy Buquet decided not to continue this match.

"The referee feels the safety requirements were not met," the stadium's loudspeaker announced.

This is the second time a match involving Marseille has been suspended due to fan behavior after last August their away game against OGC Nice was suspended due to the crowd rushing onto the pitch. Payet at that time also became a victim of throwing by fans.

The incident saw Nice receive a two-point deduction and prevented one Marseille staff from serving on the touchline again.

This season the French League is often marked by the actions of supporters who have just returned to filling the stadium after almost a full year of being unable to attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Northern derby between RC Lens and Lille also experienced a similar problem in September which delayed the second half by almost half an hour, after supporters of both teams were involved in throwing each other until several people entered the field, forcing riot police and officers to intervene.

Supporters also often act in several matches Montpellier, Angers, Marseille and AS Saint-Etienne.