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The trouble continued for debt-ridden club after two main fan groups started fighting with each other before the Championnat National 2 (CFA) fixture against Stade Briochin in Bordeaux on Saturday, December 7. Already established fan group Ultramarines engaged in a heated fight with the newly formed North Gate Ultras outside Matmut Atlantique Stadium before Saturday's clash.
Notably, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, who are six-time French champions, have already faced a 118 million euros ($128 million) of debt. On the other hand, two main fan groups of the club have engaged in a fight because of contrasting views about the club's performance under President Gérard Lopez. Earlier in the week, the two groups met to appease tensions between them but it turned out to be a failure. After their fight on Saturday, both groups also avoided each other during the match against Stade Briochin.
Such incidents cannot be considered inevitable: FC Girondin de Bordeaux condemns fight between fans
A day after the unwanted incident took place ahead of the Championnat National 2 fixture, FC Girondin de Bordeaux released a statement through their social media where they strongly opposed what happened on the sidelines of their clash with Stade Briochin. The club also mentioned that it is not easy to avoid such incidents but gave a hope for a change in the future. FC Girondin de Bordeaux will now face La Roche in their upcoming fixture at Henri-Desgranges Stadium in La Roche-sur-Yon on December 14.
“FC Girondins de Bordeaux deplores and strongly condemns the incidents that occurred on the sidelines of its match against Stade Briochin, which required the intervention of law enforcement. The Club reaffirms its opposition to all forms of violence and its deep commitment to the values of sport. Today, such incidents cannot be considered inevitable. In the coming days, it will be essential that all stakeholders work together to find concrete solutions that will guarantee festive and popular football. Only support and unity will allow FC Girondins de Bordeaux to meet the challenges ahead,” the club said in its statement.
