Emmanuel Grégoire condemns Paris brawl involving OGC Nice ultras | OneFootball

Paris mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has condemned the violent brawl that broke out on Thursday night involving a group of OGC Nice ultras, saying some showed links to the far right. He offered support to the victims, with six people injured, one seriously.

According to L'Équipe, the clashes erupted in the 10th arrondissement around the bar 'L'atmosphère' by the Canal Saint-Martin, and involved around 100 Nice hooligans and Parisians, many formerly of the Tribune Auteuil. Police made 65 arrests and placed those detained in custody.

Grégoire posted on X on Friday, denouncing the incidents in the strongest terms and sending his thoughts to the victims, their families and shocked local residents. He also thanked the police for their responsiveness and professionalism.

The Coupe de France final between Nice and Lens is scheduled for Friday at 21:00 and has been classified high risk, with more than 2,000 officers deployed. The Seine-Saint-Denis prefecture has banned the sale of alcohol at and immediately around the Stade de France, as well as its consumption in public.

Sports minister Marina Ferrari also reacted on Friday morning, saying she was scandalised by the violence involving Nice supporters on the eve of the final. She called it a shame for football and supporter culture, and said firm measures would be taken and those involved would have to answer for their actions, a few weeks before the World Cup.

Source: L'Équipe