The cancellation of a Ligue 1 soccer match in France due to rioting fans is the latest black eye for the country less than a year before the Paris Olympics begin next summer.
On Sunday, the bus of visiting squad Lyon was attacked by Marseille fans, who threw rocks and beer bottles at the vehicle. Lyon coach Fabio Grosso was injured in the altercation, and the game was called off. Seven suspects were arrested.
Marseille, which is about 500 miles south of Paris, will host Olympic sailing events in 2024, as well as some soccer matches.
Earlier this year, riots in Paris saw protestors storm the Paris organizing committee’s offices and cause fires at an Olympic swimming center.
Olympic Disruption
Beyond potential unrest from local fans next summer, the Paris Games are also dealing with an escalating budget that has reached at least $4.5 billion — despite organizers insisting the financial strains are under control.
The extravagant opening ceremony planned to run along the River Seine will attract hundreds of thousands of fans — some paying as much as $2,900 each for waterside views of the parade. The Games are also rerouting the Tour de France, which won’t conclude in the country’s capital for the first time in over 100 years.
