The mayor of Saint-Etienne Gaël Perdriau returned on Friday to the serious incidents which took place at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium in the defeat of ASSE against Auxerre, sealing the descent of the Greens in Ligue 2.
The mayor of Saint-Etienne, Gaël Perdriau (LR), said on Friday that he hoped “exemplary consequences and sanctions” after the serious incidents that occurred on May 29 at the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium after the L1/L2 return dam between Saint-Etienne and Auxerre.
At the end of the meeting which was played on penalties (1-1, 5-4 on pens), and the result of which led to the relegation of the Greens to Ligue 2, hundreds of individuals invaded the lawn and some had targeted the presidential rostrum with fireworks and smoke bombs.
“The prosecutor has announced that the investigation will take time. I hope that there will be consequences and exemplary sanctions. Because the individuals who threw smoke bombs in the stands had an intention to hurt”said Mr. Perdriau in an interview posted on the Progress website, while only two arrests have been reported to date.
“It could have ended very badly, they attempted to kill people. Moreover, when the Football League closes a stand after incidents, and the subscribers of this kop have the possibility of buying a ticket to put themselves elsewhere, I do not call it a sanction. And who sells the tickets?denounced the aedile.
Mr. Perdriau also mentioned the responsibility of the public authorities, and in particular of the prefect of the Loire Catherine Seguin.
“I felt her very annoyed against the club, especially about the amount of smoke bombs introduced into the stadium. If she has grievances to make against one or the other, it is up to her to express them. What is certain is that she has the responsibility for safety even if it is always easy to judge after the fact.confided M. Perdriau.
Two days after the incidents, Mr. Perdriau had announced his intention to work at a “White Book” of “concrete proposals to eradicate violence from professional and amateur football”with the help “football bodies, the National Association of Supporters, local authorities and the government”.