Nice court clears 11 of 13 AS Roma fans over pre-match arrests | OneFootball

The Nice criminal court has cleared 11 of 13 AS Roma supporters arrested on the eve of the Europa League game at Nice, saying the evidence was insufficient. According to L'Équipe, the proceedings focused on alleged plans to commit violence.

The group, from the Curva Sud ultras, had been detained on 23 September, the night before the fixture that Roma won 2-1 on 24 September. The court said offences of preparing violent acts against people or property, and for some a criminal association, were not established.

CRS and BAC units intervened quickly as gatherings formed amid strong political and administrative pressure, which prevented clashes. Police nevertheless fired several grenades at Place Masséna.

In all, 102 people were detained, and building evidence was not the primary aim during the operation. Two of the 13 defendants were convicted of carrying category D weapons and handed three-month sentences, with two months suspended.

The category includes daggers, batons and tear gas canisters, and both also received two-year bans from the Alpes-Maritimes. The prosecution has 10 days to consider an appeal.

Source: L'Équipe