Chaos on the Riviera

What was looking like an intriguing game of football on Sunday descended into chaos and violence. Known as the Derby of the South this Ligue 1 game between Nice and Marseille was nicely set up. It featured two attacking teams, each with hopes of qualifying for Europe and tied on 4 points after two games. It should have been a marker on how the sides were settling in to the season and which was most likely to push towards the top four of Ligue 1.

Nice fans threw objects onto the pitch throughout the game but it was after around 75 minutes that things got very ugly. With Nice winning 1 - 0 through a Kasper Dolberg goal, Dimitri Payet was struck with a bottle thrown from the Crowd whilst taking a Corner for Marseille. Payet fell to the ground after being hit in the back but then picked up the bottle and threw it back into the crowd. That led to a number of Nice Ultras knocking down an advertising board and attacking the Marseille players who had run on to support Payet. A chaotic brawl ensued in which a member of the Marseille Coaching Staff was seen to punch a Nice supporter.

OM Manager Jorge Sampaoli was apoplectic at the scenes and had to be restrained by his own players. The main object of his rage seemed to be Nice defender Jean Clair Todibo. That seems strange as from what I saw it was Todibo and teammate Dante who looked to calm the Nice fans down. They should be credited for that so I can't see what happened for Todibo to have upset Sampaoli so much.

Marseille players Matteo Guendouzi and Luan Peres had what appeared to be strangle marks on their necks following the incidents. The Referee stopped the game after 75 minutes and the players managed to get off the pitch and down the tunnel. Marseille were unwilling, understandably, to send their players back out and left the Stadium. The Referee restarted the game with the farcical situation of only Nice being on the pitch. The Nice players lined up to defend the corner that started the whole disastrous chain of events. As there was no opposition there was nothing to defend and the Referee blew to signal the game was finished. Under Ligue 1 rules if one team refuses to return to the pitch the Match is automatically awarded to the opposing team with a 3 - 0 deficit. This should be looked at as to go back on to the pitch would have put players, Staff and Fans of both Clubs in danger.

Marseille President Pablo Longoria said shortly after the game that it was a League Official and not the Referee that wanted the game to continue. In his statement he said “The league decided that the match should continue but we decided not to because the safety of our players was not guaranteed.

“This is the second time it’s happened. We have already experienced this in Montpellier where we decided to continue after the decision to carry on was made.

“What happened today is unacceptable. We must make it a precedent for French football and that’s why we decided to return to Marseille.”

Since the match though reports have suggested that it was not League officials that advised the Match should continue but the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes department (Region in which the City of Nice is situated), Bernard Gonzalez. This decision was surely wrong because how could a Football match continue in such conditions. Apparently the reasoning was that to not continue would mean civil unrest with all Supporters leaving at the same time. That makes little sense as Match Officials and Police could surely have ensured Marseille fans were kept in the ground until Nice fans had left the stadium. Marseille fans could then have been escorted to their Coaches. What would the difference have been in if fans left the ground after 75 minutes or 90 or later. To be clear Bernard Gonzalez is a Political Official not a member of Nice Football Club or Ligue 1's governing body the LFP.

Since then Bernard Gonzalez has taken the decision to close Nice's Popular South Stand for four home games:

"In view of the seriousness of the incidents that occurred, and without waiting for the sanctions to be decided by the professional football league (LFP), the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes has taken the following decisions this evening: closure of the Populaire Sud stand, where the incidents occurred, for the next four home matches."

It has also been suggested nets will be put up between the South Stand and the goal to protect players. More punishments will sure come from the LFP when they meet with officials from both Clubs tomorrow. Nice will be punished for failing to control their supporters and Marseille for not controlling their players. Alvaro Gonzalez and Matteo Guendozi showed bravery to support Payet but were wild in gesticulating and facing the home fans. Their actions only exacerbated the situation so they may face disciplinary action. I would imagine Dimitri Payet will be reprimanded in some way for throwing the bottle back at the Crowd. It is completely understandable that the Marseille forward was upset. He and his teammates had had objects thrown at them throughout the game. He would have been better to pick up the bottle and walk off the pitch with his teammates. Easy for me to say with hindsight and not having to face that kind of abuse. Unfortunately with everything that unravelled we are likely to see him banned. In an era of Ligue 1 where everyone is talking about a 34 year old footballing genius who has yet to kick a ball this season, it's 34 year old Payet that has started the season brilliantly. With three goals in two games and great displays of skill he has arguably been the most impressive player in Ligue 1 so far.

The whole thing is a disaster for Marseille and Nice who were having a good game until the off the pitch incidents ruined it. Marseille were controlling possession but Nice incredibly dangerous on the break. It's going to be interesting to see if the 3 - 0 result stands in Nice favour. I wonder if there is a possibility the match will be replayed behind closed doors? Could all this have been avoided had the Referee taken the players off earlier when the object throwing first occurred?

This was a sad day for French Football after what had been a very good start to the Ligue 1 season. Meanwhile Paris Saint-Germain stroll on with three wins in three matches and plenty of quality players to come back. With lasts seasons Champions in no position to challenge them, Monaco and Lyon starting poorly and now the two Southern Clubs in turmoil, PSG will be walking this title race. Update - 26 August 21 The LFP announced yesterday that the the Match between Nice and Bordeaux will be played behind closed doors. In addition to that Marseille‘a PT Pablo Fernandez will be s Spender from the bench and all official functions. For how long is unclear. Further punishments regarding the action of players and fans will be discussed on the 8 September.

Update - 09 September 21 The LFP announced yesterday evening that the following disciplinary action will be taken:

- The OGC Nice - Olympique de Marseille match has to be replayed.

- Three matches behind closed doors for OGC Nice, including the OGC Nice - Olympique de Marseille match which will be replayed on a relocated field.

- Two penalty points at OGC Nice including one suspended point.

- Suspension of the sidelines, referees locker room and all official functions until June 30, 2022 of Mr. Pablo Fernandez, physical trainer for Olympique de Marseille.

- Two games of suspension to Alvaro Gonzalez.

- A suspended match against Dimitri Payet.

This means Dimitri Payet will be unavailable for the game at Monaco on Saturday 11th September and Alvaro Gonzalez will also miss that game and the following league match at home to Rennes on Sunday 19th September.

Update - 15 September - On Monday the LFP announced that abandoned match will be replayed on October 27. It is set to be played at a neutral location with the venue to be determined at a later date.