AS Saint-Étienne responds after the serious incidents that occurred on Sunday evening after the Ligue 1-Ligue 2 play-off against AJ Auxerre by filing a complaint on Tuesday against its own supporters.
Sunday evening, the relegation of Saint-Étienne in L2 after the penalty shootout against Auxerre was accompanied by chaotic scenes at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium with an invasion of the lawn by angry Greens supporters then jets of smoke and a general stampede. Some supporters even used mortars and aimed smoke bombs at the players and stands.
A large part of the Greens’ substitute bench caught fire, as did the synthetic turf that surrounds the sideline on the tunnel side. A few seats in the official stands were also damaged.
“The club intends to collaborate in the most effective way possible with the police services”
The clashes continued outside the stadium until late at night, with a balance sheet of around forty minor injuries: 8 security guards, 14 police officers, 17 supporters and two Auxerre players. The prosecution indicated that the evening had not resulted in any arrests.
“Following the serious incidents that occurred after the ASSE-Auxerre match on May 29, the club filed a complaint today for aggravated violence, destruction and damage to public property, entry into the playing area undermining the safety of people and property and the throwing of projectiles presenting a danger to the safety of people,” ASSE said in a press release.
“The club intends to collaborate in the most effective way possible with the police services so that the troublemakers are identified without delay and the subsequent legal proceedings are implemented”, continues the Saint-Etienne club.
While their sector of the stadium was the subject of a disciplinary closure, following incidents during the reception of Monaco (1-4) on April 23, recidivist ultras from Saint-Etienne therefore succeeded on Sunday in taking place in another gallery.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League will examine these incidents on June 23. Disciplinary sanctions can go as far as a total or partial closed session, a withdrawal of points or even a disqualification and even a demotion.