A tragic incident unfolded before the Nantes vs Nice match in Ligue 1, resulting in the death of a Nantes supporter who was stabbed.
The unfortunate event took place during an altercation between rival Nantes fans and vehicles carrying Nice supporters on their way to the Beaujoire stadium before the game, as confirmed by the public prosecutor in the western French city.
“During these events, in circumstances which remain to be determined, a 31-year-old man, a supporter of FC Nantes, collapsed (and) died on the spot, despite the rapid intervention of emergency services,” Nantes public prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul said.
The deceased received “a wound in the back, which could correspond to a bladed weapon”, the prosecutor explained, adding that an investigation for “voluntary manslaughter” had been opened.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the victim, who was part of the Nantes supporters group Brigade Loire, was reportedly stabbed by one of the drivers of the vehicles involved.
Gaudeul, the public prosecutor, verified that a 35-year-old driver surrendered himself at a police station in the early hours of the morning and was subsequently taken into custody on Sunday.
FC Nantes expressed their deep sadness regarding the tragic incident, offering their condolences to the family of the deceased.
