A 31-year-old fan of Ligue 1 club Nantes tragically lost his life after being stabbed before the club’s 1-0 victory over Nice.
The incident, which took place when several vehicles carrying Nice supporters were attacked by rival Nantes fans en route to the Beaujoire stadium for Saturday’s match, was confirmed by Renaud Gaudeul, the public prosecutor in Nantes.
Gaudeul stated, “During these events, in circumstances which remain to be determined, a 31-year-old man, a supporter of FC Nantes, collapsed and died on the spot, despite the rapid intervention of emergency services.”
He further explained that the deceased had sustained “a wound in the back, which could correspond to a bladed weapon,” leading to an investigation for “voluntary manslaughter.”
According to reports, the victim, a member of the supporters group Brigade Loire, was stabbed by one of the vehicle drivers. A 35-year-old driver has since been taken into custody after turning himself in at a police station.
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FC Nantes expressed their sorrow over the incident, stating, “The club can only deplore that a person lost their life in such circumstances.” They extended their condolences to the victim’s family and assured that “numerous witness interviews are underway and will continue into the night.”
French sports minister Amelie Oudea-Castera also expressed her condolences via social media, emphasizing the need for the investigation to “identify the exact circumstances of the events.”