A pitch storm and heavy rioting have overshadowed the relegation of the record French soccer champions AS St. Etienne to the 2nd division.
Hundreds of spectators descended on the pitch immediately after the hosts lost on penalties in Sunday’s relegation game against AJ Auxerre. Some lit firecrackers and threw them partly into the crowd, partly onto the spectator stands, which were still filled with fans.
Players flee the field
Video recordings of the scenes after the end of the game showed thick clouds of smoke over the stadium. The players of both teams hurriedly left the field to get to safety. Nothing was initially known about possible injuries and further consequences.
As in the first leg, the game was 1-1 after 90 minutes, and extra time didn’t bring a decision either. Auxerre then won 5-4 on penalties. St. Etienne had won the French championship ten times in the past, just as often as Paris Saint-Germain now.
Source: dpa