Lyon ultras display banner in support of Saint-Étienne groups facing dissolution
Ultras of Olympique Lyonnais displayed a banner in support of their rivals from Saint-Étienne during Lyon's Ligue 1 match against Lorient on Sunday. The banner, unveiled in the Virage Nord stand by the Bad Gones group, read 'Non à la dissolution des groupes stéphanois' ('No to the dissolution of the Sainté groups'), referencing the threat of dissolution faced by Saint-Étienne's Magic Fans and Green Angels ultras groups by the French Interior Ministry.
The act of solidarity occurred as players warmed up at the Groupama Stadium. According to reports from Le Progrès OL, the banner was displayed only briefly before the stand's traditional chant, 'Emmenez moi à Geoffroy-Guichard,' referencing Saint-Étienne's stadium, began. The gesture is notable given the historic and intense rivalry between the two clubs from the Rhône-Alpes region, known as the Derby du Rhône.
The display follows a weekend of demonstrations in support of the Saint-Étienne ultras. Several thousand supporters protested outside the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard ahead of ASSE's match against Dunkerque on Saturday, with the club's players also showing their support for the fan groups after the final whistle. The ultras groups are scheduled to appear before a governmental commission in Paris on Monday to contest the dissolution order.
The French government's move against the groups is part of a broader nationwide crackdown on football supporter organizations deemed to pose public order risks. The Interior Ministry has previously dissolved several ultra groups across France's football landscape. This context makes the display of cross-club solidarity, even if fleeting, a significant moment within French football's often fractious fan culture.
For Lyon, the action represents a rare public stance from the Bad Gones, one of the club's principal ultra groups, on an issue external to their own direct interests. The incident did not appear to disrupt the match itself, which Lyon went on to win 2-0. The focus now shifts to the administrative hearing in Paris, which will determine the future of the two long-standing Saint-Étienne supporter groups.
