La Gruppa suspend activities, joining Horda Frénétik in FC Metz protest | OneFootball

La Gruppa, the second FC Metz ultras group, have suspended matchday support in protest at the club’s lack of long-term vision, raising the prospect of a subdued Stade Saint-Symphorien when Toulouse visit on Sunday at 17:15.

According to L'Équipe, the group announced on Friday that they will no longer animate the stands until further notice, citing what they see as leadership inaction, with Metz bottom of Ligue 1. It follows Horda Frénétik’s move last week.

The West Stand regulars at Stade Saint-Symphorien since 2012 say they are exhausted by the yo-yo between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 that keeps repeating and by a season they regard as one too many. They are calling for a clear, coherent and long-term sporting plan to stabilise the club in the top flight.

They argue the same errors follow each promotion, selling the best players, building an unbalanced squad, minimal communication from the hierarchy, and a sense of huge waste. No date has been set for a return to chants or displays at home or away, and they say the decision was taken with heavy hearts because the situation is grave.

The move follows a joint march by the two main ultra groups less than two weeks ago around the stadium before the 1-0 defeat by Brest on one March, described as a first step during a public address at Place de la République. Metz now face the fight for survival without their ultras, a task that has become harder to envisage with each passing week.

Source: L'Équipe