VIDEO. French second division players throw fireworks back at their own fans, after home fans express dissatisfaction about the second relegation in a row

Friday was a pitch-black evening in the history of Troyes football club. At home against Valenciennes, the French second division team needed a win to keep their hopes of an extended stay in Ligue 2 alive, but when the home fans noticed that that would no longer be possible, riots broke out.

However, it started well for Troyes, which absolutely needed a win to avoid relegation (for the time being). Simon Elisor made it 1-0 after nine minutes, but Dutchman Nick Venema leveled the score on the hour mark. Afterwards it remained 1-1, until the home team’s ultras had enough in minute 89. The Troyes supporters targeted the visiting goalkeeper Jean Louchet and threw smoke bombs and fireworks at the French goalkeeper.

Junior Olaitan and his teammates had enough and the home team players simply threw the smoke bombs into the crowd again. The Troyes supporters also sang ‘Merci City’ as a reference to club owner City Football Group, which also has Manchester City, Lommel and Girona in its portfolio. The match was eventually stopped and not resumed.

CFG took over the French club in September 2020 and Troyes was able to secure promotion to Ligue 1 in the same season, where it ultimately stayed for two seasons. Last season, Troyes finished penultimate in the French top flight and now faces a second relegation in a row. With two matchdays to go, Troyes has seven points less in the standings than Dunkirk, the first team in a safe haven. Troyes will probably receive a heavy penalty and fine, making relegation almost impossible to avoid.

After the match, Troyes condemned the events in a club statement. “The context of the fans’ disappointment does not excuse this behavior and we now await the decision of the football authorities,” it said.