A banner in the south stand of the Groupama Stadium carried a pointed message before Lyon’s 4-0 win over Rennes on Saturday. Lyon 1950, the supporters’ group behind it, told former OL forward Sidney Govou that he and his family would remain welcome among them, following his recent concerns about racism around the club.
A response from the south stand
The display came before Lyon faced Rennes and was directed at Govou after the former France international spoke publicly about racist behaviour involving some supporters.
Govou, now a Canal+ pundit, had recalled discriminatory incidents from his own playing days in Lyon. He said he had once fought with an official from a section of the south stand after receiving racist remarks, possibly in the aftermath of a poor performance.
His greater concern, however, is for his 17-year-old son, who was born in Lyon, supports OL and is mixed-race. Govou said his son has repeatedly asked to watch matches from the stands, but that he has refused because of fears that he could be subjected to racism.
- Lyon beat Rennes 4-0 at the Groupama Stadium on Saturday.
- Lyon 1950 unveiled its message in the south stand before kick-off.
- The group said Govou and his family would always be welcome.
- Govou’s comments centred on his fear for his teenage son’s safety at football matches.
Govou says he is not targeting one group
Responding to the supporters’ invitation, Govou stressed that he was not passing judgement on any individual or supporters’ group.
He said racist incidents occur both in the stands and outside the stadium after matches in Lyon. Several supporters had contacted him because they felt personally implicated by his remarks, he said, but his position was that of a father seeking to protect his child.
Govou said that only one incident would be enough for him to regret taking the risk. He called for racism to be removed entirely from football stadiums.
August case remains before the courts
The debate follows an alleged incident at the Groupama Stadium earlier this season, during Lyon’s home match against Le Havre on 29 August.
Meriem Bouchedda, an elected representative in Rillieux-la-Pape, said she and her partner were attacked by a group of supporters who allegedly insulted them repeatedly. She described the assault as racist.
- Two suspects arrested in connection with the case are due before the criminal court in February.
- They face allegations of group violence resulting in more than eight days of total incapacity for Bouchedda.
- For the alleged violence against her partner, the stated incapacity did not exceed eight days.
- The Lyon prosecutor did not retain racism as part of the case.
- A third person was released without prosecution.
