Bizarre Scenes as Players and Fans Hurl Flares at Each Other as Match Is Abandoned

• The Ligue 2 match between Troyes and Valenciennes had to be abandoned
• This followed unsavoury scenes as flares were thrown onto the pitch
• Angry fans protested against the City Football Group, which own Troyes

The French Ligue 2 was treated to bizarre scenes on Friday, March 3, as a match was interrupted by fans who threw flares on the pitch.

Troyes were drawing 1-1 with bottom-side Valenciennes when the match had to be stopped in the 89th minute.

Videos on social media show fans hurling flares on the pitch, engulfing the players in a huge cloud of smoke.

Some of the Troyes players did not take kindly to the antics from their home supporters and resorted to throwing back some of the flares as police intervened to ensure everyone’s safety.

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According to Get Football News France, the protests stemmed from Troyes supporters battling to come to terms with the prospect of a second successive relegation of their beloved club.

L'ESTAC sit in 17th place on the log, just two points off the drop zone with three matches to go.

The fans could be heard chanting 'Merci City' to acknowledge the chaos they had caused.

The fact that Troyes was dropping points against an already-relegated side agitated the fans, who made their feelings towards the club owners clear.

Troyes is owned by the City Football Group, which also owns three-time defending Premier League champions Manchester City.

Troyes FC reacts

After the mayhem, Troyes issued a statement condemning their fans’ actions through their official social media account.

"ESTAC Troyes condemns the actions of a minority of supporters following this evening's home game against Valenciennes,” a tweet from the club read.

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"Pyrotechnic devices were thrown from the stands on to the field on several occasions, which ultimately prevented the end of the match.”

"The context of fan disappointment does not excuse or mitigate this behaviour, and we now await decisions from the football authorities."

When the CFG took charge of Troyes in 2020, the club won the Ligue 2 title in their first season, but things have gone downhill since.

Ayew continues resurgence in Ligue 1

Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Andre Ayew’s recent performance against Paris Saint Germain.

Ayew returned to France in November 2023 after six months without a club following his departure from Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

On Saturday, April 27, the Ghana international gave Le Havre the lead before half-time after firing home from inside the box.