A Nantes supporter killed during an altercation before the Nantes-Nice match

The violence tragically tarnished Saturday evening in Nantes. A Nantes supporter was fatally injured during an altercation ahead of the FC Nantes-OGC Nice football match, in circumstances that are still unclear, announced the prosecution, which opened an investigation.

“Shortly before 8 p.m., several VTC vehicles transporting Nice supporters were attacked by supporters of FC Nantes” while they were going to the Beaujoire stadium, indicated the public prosecutor of Nantes, Renaud Gaudeul. “During these events, in circumstances which remain to be determined, a 31-year-old man, a supporter of FC Nantes, collapsed,” he added. “Despite the rapid intervention of emergency services, the man could not be saved and died on the spot.”

The prosecutor mentions “a bladed weapon”

Initial information on this tragedy had reported only one supporter being “seriously injured”, as the Nantes club had lamented on its X account. “The very first forensic investigations show that the victim has a wound in the back, which could correspond to a bladed weapon”, elements which will be refined during an autopsy, specified the Nantes prosecutor.

The prosecution opened an investigation for “intentional homicide”, which was entrusted jointly to the territorial direction of the judicial police and the Loire-Atlantique departmental security. “Numerous witness hearings are underway this evening and will continue into the night,” underlined Renaud Gaudeul.

The suspect went to the police station

According to a source close to the case, the supporter, a member of the Brigade Loire group, received a stab, probably from one of the VTC drivers attacked. According to West France, the attacker went to a police station in the evening. “All light must be shed on this tragedy,” reacted the first deputy to the city of Nantes Bassem Asseh. “Violence has no place either inside or outside of sports venues.”

The new coach of FC Nantes, Jocelyn Gourvennec, explained that he had not been warned of the tragedy before the start of the match, won (1-0) by his team. “I only learned after the match that the Loire Brigade had been hit this evening by our supporter who was stabbed,” said the coach, whose victory against Nice was overshadowed by the attack. “I can’t imagine how you can go to see a football match, sometimes with your family, and be between life and death. It’s inconceivable,” continued Jocelyn Gourvennec before the announcement of the death. “I don’t know what happened, we don’t have any details, but the players talked about it a lot in the locker room, they were very touched and, obviously we are going to pray for him,” he said. concluded.