Lyon are at the centre of another controversy after a municipal councillor said she and a friend were attacked by a group of radical supporters following the club’s French championship match against Le Havre.
Myriam Bousshedda, a municipal councillor in Rillieux-la-Pape, one of Lyon’s suburbs, said the incident happened as she and her friend were making their way to their car after attending the game.
Both Bousshedda and her friend suffered injuries, according to derbyderbyderby.it.
The report comes shortly after Lyon players were involved in a mass brawl following their match against Besiktas, placing the French club at the centre of another public controversy.
Police are now searching for the alleged attackers, while Lyon have announced an internal investigation into the latest incident.
Bousshedda was attending the match with her friend and said they were confronted after leaving the stadium. The group was described as radical supporters of Lyon. No further details about the nature of the injuries or the circumstances of the confrontation have been provided.
The alleged attack took place against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny around the club following the confrontation involving Lyon players after the game with Besiktas. That earlier incident had already placed the club in the spotlight before the reported events after the Le Havre match.
The latest case involves an elected local official rather than the players themselves, but it has added to the problems surrounding Lyon. The club’s decision to open an internal investigation means it will now examine the circumstances of the incident and any possible involvement of supporters connected with the club.
Police are conducting their own search for the people alleged to have attacked Bousshedda and her friend. The report does not state whether any arrests have been made.
Rillieux-la-Pape is a suburb of Lyon, where Bousshedda serves as a municipal councillor. She was present at the match as a spectator, alongside her friend, when the incident occurred on their way to their vehicle.
The allegations remain under investigation. Lyon have not been reported as making any further public comment beyond confirming the internal inquiry, while the police search continues.
The episode follows a difficult period for the club, which must now deal with the consequences of a reported supporters’ attack while the authorities investigate and the club reviews the incident internally.