BAGNERES-DE-PARIS — A French league match was abandoned in the 55th minute when a water bottle hit the head of a player from Bordeaux, damaging an ear and causing bleeding.
Lyon captain Nabil Fekir scored for the fourth match in a row to give his side a 2-1 lead, only for Bordeaux’s Mehdi Benatia to net an equalizer from the spot. The following minute the game was called off.
Bordeaux, which has one of the smallest crowds in the league, was hit by a series of interruptions in the second half.
The most bizarre occurred in the 76th minute when a bottle was thrown on to the pitch. Bordeaux forward Jordan Ayew was targeted and his head took the full force. While there were chants of “Wake up, Ayew,” no punches were thrown.
Benatia was also hit in the chest by a missile.
Play was halted and the referee removed the ball and stadium windows and ordered spectators out. After more delays in trying to come to an agreement between the players, the situation became hostile. Lyon sent home fans home, Bordeaux called the president of the French soccer federation, Noel Le Graet, to ask him to impose a fine on the club, and social media exploded.
The Paris club sent security officials to the Stade de France on Saturday to convince players they should make a return.
French Federation President Noel Le Graet says “a fan did throw a glass bottle at a player that has head injuries. It’s a clear provocation. The risk of it being a contestive incident is incredible.”Le Graet added that “when this happens, it is unacceptable in an international arena where the referee must be sure.”
French soccer federation president Noel Le Graet says “a fan did throw a glass bottle at a player that has head injuries. It’s a clear provocation. The risk of it being a contestive incident is incredible.”
The French Federation President Noel Le Graet says “when this happens, it is unacceptable in an international arena where the referee must be sure.”