Marseille

Marseille face three-week partial stadium closure after crowd trouble

By Kristian Johnson, Reporter | 26 September 2015

Marseille will play all home games until October 15 in front of a partial support following crowd trouble in their recent 1-1 draw with Lyon.

Marseille will be forced to play their home games in front of a reduced crowd after being punished for crowd trouble.

A Ligue 1 disciplinary committee have ordered that part of the Stade Velodrome be closed until October 15 after their 1-1 draw with Lyon was suspended for 20 minutes when objects - including glass bottles - were thrown onto the pitch.

Much of the abuse was directed towards former Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena, who was reportedly attacked by home fans after the game.

Sebastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary committee, told L'Equipe: "In view of the extreme seriousness of the facts - I remind you that glass bottles were launched and the match was interrupted twice - the disciplinary committee has decided to completely close two corners of the Stade Velodrome with immediate effect.

"This is a precautionary measure pending the meeting on October 15, where final decisions will be taken."

The ban will affect their upcoming game against Angers.