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Lens given two-match stadium ban after fan violence, Lille supporters blocked from away game
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Updated 20/09/2021 at 17:46 GMT+1
Saturday’s match was halted for half an hour when Lens supporters invaded the pitch and made their way to the away end to confront their bitter rivals. Ligue 1 has announced interim decisions to close Lens’ stadium for their next two home games, while Lille supporters will not be able to have any supporters at their fixture with Strasbourg on Saturday.
Crowd trouble overshadowed Lens' win over Lillle
Image credit: Getty Images
Lens and Lille have been severely punished by Ligue 1 after fan violence overshadowed Saturday’s game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
Lens, who won the match 1-0, will play their next two league matches in an empty stadium, following a pitch invasion from some of their supporters who confronted the away end at half-time of the Derby du Nord.
Riot police got involved and the fixture was suspended for half an hour, before a decision was made to finish the match, which then passed without incident.
For their part, champions Lille will be blocked from having fans attending their away match at Strasbourg this Saturday.
Both clubs could yet receive further punishment, as organisers announced the measures as an interim solution while the incident is investigated. A final decision will be made on October 6.
It was the second high profile incident of fan violence this season, after the game between Nice and Marseille was called off last month.
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