Clashes involving Nice fans before Coupe de France final, 65 arrests and six injured, one seriously hurt | OneFootball

Violent clashes broke out in Paris on Thursday night involving OGC Nice supporters on the eve of the Coupe de France final against Lens at the Stade de France. According to L'Équipe, 65 people were arrested and six were injured, one in a serious condition.

About 100 Nice fans gathered around 23:30 in the 10th arrondissement, then moved along the Canal Saint-Martin. A large fight erupted on the Quai de Valmy for reasons not yet known.

Police intervened and made arrests, placing those detained in custody, notably for taking part in a group formed to commit violence. Officers found bladed and improvised weapons, along with balaclavas and reinforced gloves.

The confrontation is said to have involved Nice hooligans, joined by groups from Lille and Nancy and a few Saarbrücken supporters, against Parisians, many formerly of the Auteuil end.

The most seriously hurt man was taken to intensive care with a severe head injury.

The final has been classified high risk, with more than 2,000 police deployed. The Seine-Saint-Denis prefecture has also banned the sale and public consumption of alcoholic drinks in and around the stadium, and kick-off is at 21:00 on Friday.

Source: L'Équipe