The Ligue 1 match between Marseille and Lyon on Sunday was called off after a chaotic incident that led to the attack on Lyon’s team bus. The incident left head coach Fabio Grosso and his assistant Raffaele Longo, seriously injured in the face. According The Guardian UK, the incident occurred as the team was en route to the Stade Vélodrome. The bus was visibly damaged, with shattered windows, and Grosso was seen being led into the stadium, his face bloodied and his hands covering the injuries.
Lyon manger Fabio Grosso – Getty image Lyon’s president, John Textor, expressed his anger over the situation, saying, “He can’t hold a conversation, he had shards of glass in his face.” In a statement, Lyon described the attack: “Several secure windows were broken by heavy projectiles of unknown nature. “These same projectiles penetrated the interior of the bus. Coach Fabio Grosso and his assistant Raffaele Longo were directly hit and seriously injured in the face during this attack.” Following the injuries and the club’s decision not to proceed with the match, the referee, Francois Letexier, confirmed the game’s cancelation. About 65,000 fans from both teams were already at the stadium for the match, but were disappointed to learn of the cancelation. Meanwhile, Marseille issued a statement condemning the violent attack and expressed well wishes for Grosso’s recovery. French football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, are expected to now determine new date for the match.