Following the assault on the team bus by rival supporters, Lyon asked on Tuesday that their postponed Ligue 1 match against Marseille be played at a neutral venue.
The game was supposed to take place on Sunday, but coach Fabio Grosso was hurt when the Lyon van was stormed by Marseille supporters as it reached the Stade Velodrome.
The general manager of Lyon, Vincent Ponsot, said on the team’s TV channel that “the safety conditions necessary to play in Marseille have not been met at this moment.”
“We must play on an even playing field. Our first priority is to ensure the security of our athletes.
Xavier Pierrot, the deputy managing director of Lyon, said on the same channel that the team and its employees will be officially filing complaints in the next few days.
The first remarks on the events in Marseille were made by Lyon coach Fabio Grosso, who had to get 12 stitches after the incident and was unable to participate in Tuesday’s training session.
He sent a statement on Instagram saying, “What happened on Sunday evening could have been a tragedy, and it certainly was for the sport and all those who love it.”
He said, “I sincerely hope that it will serve as a lesson for our future.”
The Marseille prosecutor’s office has already launched three inquiries, two of which are connected to the stoning of the team bus and a bus carrying Lyon supporters.
The third concerns the actions of Lyon fans inside the stadium; they have been charged with racism and making Nazi salutes.
