“We must recreate the penal colony”: Der Zakarian calls for “more severity” towards violent supporters

2023-11-29 05:40:06

A straightforward reaction. Montpellier coach Michel Der Zakarian, a few days after attacking Thierry Henry, called on Tuesday for more severity with regard to the excesses of supporters, even provocatively suggesting sending them “to the penal colony”.

“This is today’s society. We’re right in it. We must crack down. We need to change the laws. We need more severity, justice needs to be harsher,” declared the Montpellier coach, questioned at a press conference on various incidents that have affected French football in recent weeks.

“Let them go break some stones”

Provocative under an impassive mask, Der Zakarian even encouraged the authorities to send the troublemakers to Cayenne. “Guys who are not happy must be sent to prison. We must recreate the penal colony. Let them go and break stones,” he said.

???? Der Zakarian on “We have to send them to the penal colony. We have to send them to break stones.”

The Montpellier coach is calling for more severity to combat recurring incidents around the stadiums. pic.twitter.com/jtwEvh1aMV

— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) November 28, 2023

Der Zakarian was speaking on the eve of the match between Montpellier and Clermont, postponed after a serious incident leading to its definitive end on October 8, during the 8th day of Ligue 1. The match, which was almost coming to an end (90 + 1st), had been interrupted by the referee due to the throwing of a firecracker on the Mosson lawn, very close to Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw, shocked and evacuated on a stretcher.

The Hérault club, which then led 4-2, was sanctioned with a withdrawal of one point and a partial closure of the stand. And the match has therefore been rescheduled for this Wednesday (7 p.m.).

Sunday, at the end of the Montpellier-Brest match counting for the 13th day of Ligue 1, the Breton supporters’ bus was stoned on the return highway. These incidents were reminiscent of those which occurred before the clash between Marseille and Lyon on October 29, where Lyon coach Fabio Grosso was seriously injured in the face when the OL bus was crushed, leading to the match being postponed until October 6. December.