Marseille, PSG face action over Stade de France disturbances

Paris (AFP) – The French Football Federation (FFF) opened disciplinary proceedings against both Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain on Monday, after crowd disturbances in the French Cup final at the Stade de France at the weekend raised further concerns about security just weeks before Euro 2016.

“The body condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some supporters of Marseille and Paris, inside and outside the Stade de France,” the FFF said in a statement.

Saturday’s final between the French Ligue 1 arch rivals saw flares being lit and glass bottles and plastic pipes brought into the stands in the Paris stadium which was targeted by suicide bombers on November 13, when the attackers tried unsuccessfully to get inside the security perimeter.

France’s interior minister promised Monday that security “failures” at the Stade de France would be put right before Euro 2016, following the weekend problems. 

“Failures have been noted,” Bernard Cazeneuve said after chaotic scenes before the Cup final which was effectively a test run for the security arrangements for the European championships.

PSG won the game 4-2 to complete a second successive clean sweep of the French domestic trophies, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring twice on his final appearance for the club.

The Stade de France will host seven Euro 2016 matches, including the opener between France and Romania on June 10 and the final on July 10.