Saint-Étienne fans march as ASSE ultras face renewed dissolution threat | OneFootball

Thousands of AS Saint-Étienne supporters marched through the city to oppose the threatened dissolution of the Magic Fans and Green Angels. According to Le Progres, initial estimates put the crowd at between 3,000 and 5,000 as the groups prepare for a fresh hearing in Paris on 13 April.

The gathering began at parc François-Mitterrand at 16:30, with speeches from supporter leaders around 17:30. With rain looming, timings were brought forward and the procession set off earlier than planned towards the Geoffroy-Guichard.

Chants in support of the ultras and the Chaudron rang out, flares coloured the route and a brief pause came near the Ninkasi junction. Marchers were urged to respect the area as they weaved calmly past parked cars by the Zénith.

The cortege reached the stadium, where songs in praise of AS Saint-Étienne continued, and at 18:28 it dispersed calmly. Representatives of the Green Angels and Magic Fans then began a private meeting with club officials, joined by mayor Régis Juanico, MP Pierrick Courbon and senator Pierre-Jean Rochette.

Last year organisers said 10,000 marched, the prefecture counted 3,200, as then interior minister Bruno Retailleau weighed dissolving the groups. That possibility still hangs over Saint-Étienne.

Les Verts were due to host Dunkerque at 20:00 at Geoffroy-Guichard.

Source: Le Progres