CAN 2025: disturbances in Saint-Étienne after Algeria win | OneFootball

According to Le Progres, police intervened in Saint-Étienne after Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations last-16 win, with officers targeted by projectiles and mortar fire.

Adil Boulbina’s excellent extra-time strike against the Democratic Republic of Congo sent the Fennecs, Lucas Zidane’s team, into the quarter-finals and sparked celebrations across the city.

Yves Cellier, the director of the national police in the Loire, said officers, working with the municipal police, set up measures to stop unauthorised convoys entering the city centre. The hypercentre was quickly sealed off, though honking still marked the early evening.

He noted that road excesses were unacceptable and potentially dangerous, and about 40 fines were issued for traffic offences, including persistent horn use and not wearing seatbelts.

A spontaneous gathering of about 100 people formed in the Tarentaize/Beaubrun area. Some motorists were targeted, with vehicles shaken, draped in Algeria flags or hit by mortar shots. Tensions rose further when individuals tried to scale the courthouse carrying Algeria flags.

Police moved in for safety reasons, prompting an initial dispersal towards rue Georges-Teissier where a barricade was set alight.

There were four arrests, including one for attempted group entry into the courthouse. Two men remained in custody on Wednesday morning, two others were released. No officers were injured, but substantial resources were used, including nearly 20 grenades, and Cellier said celebrations should not disrupt public order, with forces to stay highly mobilised for upcoming CAN fixtures.

Source: Le Progres