DAMMARIE-LES-LYS, France – A U20 football match in Dammarie-les-Lys, France, took a violent turn on Sunday afternoon, leading to multiple injuries and sparking outrage from officials. What started as a peaceful game quickly turned chaotic at halftime when a group of around 40 young supporters from Dammarie-les-Lys stormed the players’ dressing room armed with baseball bats and sticks.
According to Jean-Luc Larret, president of the Meaux football club, the group of individuals broke down the door to the dressing room, initiating a full-scale brawl with the Meaux players. The unexpected outbreak of violence left the young athletes in shock, resulting in panic and chaos.
In the midst of the altercation, the Meaux goalkeeper, a 20-year-old, sustained a critical knife wound to his abdomen. He was urgently airlifted to a hospital in Paris, where his condition was deemed life-threatening. Reports from police sources indicate that one of the attackers also suffered severe injuries during the altercation, with suspicions arising that a player might have used a knife in self-defense.
The violence escalated to the point where two Meaux players, fearing for their safety, leaped into the nearby Seine River in an attempt to escape. Thankfully, officers on the scene promptly intervened, rescuing the distressed players from the river.
Although initially apprehended, the two players were later released after it was confirmed that they were not actively involved in the attack.
This shocking incident left a total of nine individuals injured, prompting the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) to denounce the violence as “acts of unqualifiable violence.”
The FFF announced plans to file complaints against unidentified assailants in response to the disturbing events in Dammarie-les-Lys. The organization made a public statement condemning the violence and expressing deep concern for the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
Local authorities have taken over the investigation, striving to uncover the underlying reasons behind the altercation and identify those accountable for instigating the violence. This disturbing event serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous escalation that can occur in sports-related rivalries, underscoring the importance of maintaining peace and sportsmanship in competitive settings.