The Ligue 1 fixture between Nice and Marseille has been abandoned 15 minutes from time after Marseille's Dimitri Payet was hit by a bottle thrown from the crowd. He then threw it back at them and the Nice ultras stormed the pitch to attack the Marseille players.
Disgraceful scenes once again mar a French football match. Marseille's first away game of the season at Montpellier was halted for 10 minutes in the second half when bottles were hurled down from the crowd and their second away match has also seen major crowd disturbances.
The home side were leading 1-0 thanks to a 49th minute Kasper Dolberg goal. In the 75th minute, Marseille won a corner and Dimitri Payet went to take it. A bottle thrown from the crowd hit him on the back of the head. The former West Ham player hurled it back at the spectators and that led to Nice ultras forcing their way onto the pitch.
The home supporters broke the barriers and went to attack the Marseille players, especially Payet. That led to the Marseille coaching staff and other players running on to attack the fans and one member of the coaching staff, in orange, was seen punching a fan in the throat.
It is reported that Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli had to be restrained by up to four members of his staff while the two sets of players also fought amongst themselves. Three Marseille players also suffered injuries to their neck after being assaulted by Nice ultras.
'RMC Sport' reports that Sampaoli did not want his players to return this evening while host broadcaster 'Amazon' has said it was highly unlikely the match will be completed tonight. Referee Benoit Bastien and the local authorities ended up making the decision of abandoning the fixture.
Montpellier saw a few of their stands closed after trouble against Marseille two weeks ago and it remains to see what punishment Nice receive here as this was much more serious. The game could continue behind closed doors or Marseille could be awarded the match. Nice fans throwing bottles may have just cost their own team three points.