Brest Ultras Trial: Date Postponed to November

Nine Brest ultras were tried in Brest after an ambush against Lensois supporters.

A trial involving nine supporters of Stade brestois was postponed Monday,January 26,after key evidence failed to arrive on time. The nine individuals were facing charges related to an ambush of RC Lens supporters, but the proceedings were delayed until November 2, due to missing documentation.

“The reason for this referral lies in the surprising absence of documents in the file, in this case video surveillance images and photos that have not been digitized. Part of the procedure was therefore not sent – electronically – to the lawyers,what justified this dismissal,” explained a report from a sports newspaper present at the courthouse on January 26. Another source added that only one of the nine defendants faced trial on Monday, but for seperate offenses connected to the attack on the Lens supporters.

Did you know?– French ultra groups frequently enough have complex internal structures and rivalries, sometiems leading to violent clashes with opposing fans.These groups are known for their passionate support and organized displays.

Ultra Group future Under Scrutiny

The incident stems from events on April 20, 2025, following a Ligue 1 match between Stade Brestois and RC Lens, which Lens won 3-1. After the game, approximately fifty Brest ultras, wearing hoods and wielding baseball bats, blocked the RN12 highway between Brest and Rennes in an attempt to intercept vehicles carrying lens fans. This followed an earlier attack on around forty Brest supporters who were dining at a restaurant.

The unrest prompted the sub-prefect of Brest to consider dissolving two ultra groups associated with the club. “What happened against Lens was really the culmination, if I may say so, of a whole season of tensions and a whole season of problems. There was only one match where we didn’t have problems. I had warned the president of the club and the mayor that I was going to actually request the dissolution of the two ultra clubs,” stated Jean-Philippe Setbon last june.

Pro tip– Dissolving ultra groups is a complex legal process. Authorities must demonstrate a clear and present danger to public order to justify such a measure,frequently enough requiring extensive documentation of violent incidents.

Why did this happen? The ambush stemmed from tensions following a Ligue 1 match on April 20, 2025, where RC Lens defeated Stade Brestois 3-1. Brest ultras sought retribution for an earlier attack on their fellow supporters.

Who was involved? approximately fifty Brest ultras ambushed RC Lens supporters.Nine individuals were initially put on trial, though proceedings were postponed. Jean-Philippe setbon, the sub-prefect of Brest, considered dissolving two ultra groups.

What occurred? Following the match, brest ultras blocked a highway attempting to intercept Lens fans and previously attacked Brest supporters at a restaurant. The initial trial of nine ultras was delayed due to missing evidence.

How did it end? The trial of the nine ultras was postponed to November 2. The future of the ultra groups remains uncertain, pending a decision on potential dissolution by authorities. One defendant faced trial on Monday for separate offenses.