(CNN) — A top-flight soccer match in France between Montpellier Hérault and Saint-Étienne was postponed on Sunday after followers let off flares which began a small hearth within the stands.
Saint-Étienne had been 2-0 up towards relegation-threatened Montpellier earlier than the referee halted the match across the hour mark. Video footage reveals black smoke billowing from behind one of many objectives inside Montpellier’s Stade de la Mosson, as purple flares had been thrown onto the pitch by followers.
Montpellier supporters might then be seen operating to the again of the stands as a small hearth seems to quickly escape. Montpellier later mentioned that some individuals had been injured within the incident. CNN has requested the membership concerning the nature of the accidents.
Referee François Letexier initially paused the sport whereas safety tried to calm the state of affairs, however he finally introduced the gamers off the pitch earlier than the sport was postponed.
“By determination of the general public authority, it was determined to not resume the match,” Letexier mentioned at a press convention, in line with the Ligue 1 website.
CNN has reached out to the Ligue de Soccer Professionnel (LFP), a physique which runs French soccer, for remark concerning the incident. It’s unclear whether or not the consequence will stand or whether or not the roughly half-hour nonetheless left within the match can be performed on one other date.
Montpellier presently sits all-time low of the French prime flight with followers rising pissed off by their group’s struggles this season.
In a press release despatched to CNN Monday, Montpellier mentioned it “strongly condemns the violence that came about on Sunday afternoon.”
It added: “The membership is now awaiting disciplinary motion.”
Saint-Étienne, which sits one place above Montpellier, was with out followers on Sunday after French authorities banned them from touring as a consequence of a excessive threat of violence, in line with the Associated Press.
CNN has reached out to Saint-Étienne for remark about Sunday’s incident.
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