“In France, supporting a football team should not be a crime.” Thus begins the press release from Ultramarines 1987, the main group of Girondins de Bordeaux supporters, the day after the Ligue 2 match in Ajaccio, which was interrupted for an hour following clashes with Ajaccio fans and for which an investigation was opened.
In the 12th minute of the match, around sixty Bordeaux ultras suddenly gathered in one of the stands of the François-Coty stadium, with the sole desire, according to them, “to attend the match and support our team, without creating a wave “. The maneuver was mainly aimed at protesting against the prefectural decree issued on Friday to prohibit their arrival, a decree deemed “senseless” when “some supporters were already on the way or even arrived on the spot” after having “incurred heavy costs”. Some Ajaccien supporters then wanted to do battle with their rivals.
SEE ALSO – The individual trophies of the 2023 Women’s World Cup
Far from regretting their approach, the Ultramarines fully assume it and wish to “give it a political dimension”. “We did not attack or insult anyone: we took blows for what we are: supporters of the Girondins, and for having sung for a moment to the glory of our legendary club”, they justify themselves, evoking “incessant assaults Corsican supporters”. Seats were ripped off and a security barrier flew from a stadium stand, according to footage from broadcaster beIN Sports.
The press release also regrets the condemnation of the Bordeaux club, which speaks of “non-compliance by an isolated group of supporters with the prefectural decree”. The supporters consider themselves “delivered to popular vindictiveness”. Finally, they would like to point out that the closures of visitor parking lots “endanger” supporters more than they protect them.
