A 17-year-old fan was assaulted during Olympique Lyonnais’ 1-0 victory over Angers on Friday evening after unfurling an Algerian flag in support of Rachid Ghezzal, the Algerian international who recently returned to OL.
The incident, which occurred in the intermediate south corner of Groupama Stadium, highlights rising tensions around the Algerian question in France, amid a toxic political climate fueled by far-right rhetoric.
According to witnesses, two individuals approached the teenager shortly after he displayed the flag around the 15th minute of the match. They snatched the banner from his hands while shouting racist insults, including: “We are in France, in Lyon,” and “You have no business being here.”
Olympique Lyonnais confirmed that stewards intervened and encouraged the victim to file a complaint, stating that the club “supports him” in the process. The club also reiterated that stadium regulations explicitly allow supporters to wave foreign flags associated with players.
The attack has stirred wider reflection on the historical ties between Lyon and Algeria. Since its early years, the Rhône-based club has been home to numerous Algerian players, including Abdelhamid Kermali in 1951, Houssem Aouar, and Karim Benzema, whose dual Franco-Algerian heritage has made him an emblematic figure of the city’s multicultural identity.
Ghezzal himself, born in Décines-Charpieu, chose to represent Algeria internationally while maintaining strong links to OL, making the flag a traditional expression of fan support.
Experts note that the attack cannot be seen in isolation. The incident coincides with heightened anti-Algerian rhetoric in French politics, particularly from figures such as Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, whose inflammatory statements toward Algeria have been widely criticized, including by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Journalists and analysts warn that such political climates embolden racist behavior in public spaces, including stadiums. Groups with far-right affiliations, including small ultra factions, are increasingly infiltrating stands, creating intimidation for supporters of North African origin.
Olympique Lyonnais has urged vigilance and reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Club officials stressed that football, historically a space celebrating multiculturalism, must not become a stage for racial exclusion.
The attack on the young fan serves as a stark reminder of the broader social and political challenges facing communities of Maghreb descent in France today.
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