Montpellier-Nimes Clash Stopped Due to Crowd Violence
A Ligue 1 match between Montpellier and Nimes was stopped due to crowd trouble on Sunday.
Both clubs are based in the south of France and are bitter rivals. This was the first league tie between the pair since 1993, with Montpellier going on to win the match 3-0.
A barrier collapsed during the first half – the day after a similar accident in Eibar’s home defeat against Sevilla in La Liga – but there were no serious injuries.
And after the interval, supporters from both clubs faced off in the stands, with some fans also getting on to the pitch at the Stade de la Mosson.
Gaetan Laborde scored the third of Montpellier’s goals with around ten minutes remaining, which lead to confrontation between the two sets of supporters.
Around 80 riot police intervened with tear gas used to disperse fans as referee Ruddy Buquet opted to stop the game, causing a delay that lasted around 20 minutes.
A number of Montpellier’s players pleaded with their fans to calm down, with the stadium announcer also asking the home supporters to not risk punishment from Ligue 1’s disciplinary committee, something that could even lead to a points deduction.
