Following a Champions League match, a group of approximately fifty individuals initiated a disturbance near the Robert Schwint bridge in Besançon, bringing traffic to a standstill. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers encountered this crowd, primarily composed of minors, who began pelting them with projectiles. Five police personnel sustained minor injuries during the confrontation. Motorists caught in the gridlock were startled to witness some youths climbing onto their vehicles, resulting in at least one car being damaged. The group subsequently moved into the city center, gathering notably around the Place de la Révolution.
The ensuing unrest spread, with tear gas deployed across several thoroughfares, including Grande Rue, Battant, and Rue Courbet. Patrons enjoying outdoor terraces and other passersby sought refuge inside establishments, aided by restaurateurs, to escape the effects of the gas. Reports indicated that several electric bicycles were toppled and vandalized, alongside damage to various pieces of urban furniture.
Besançon mayor condemns post-match violence
Ludovic Fagaut, the Mayor of Besançon, swiftly condemned the acts of violence via social media. He emphatically stated, “Rien ne peut justifier de profiter d’un événement sportif populaire pour casser, troubler l’ordre public et créer un sentiment d’insécurité” (Nothing can justify exploiting a popular sporting event to cause destruction, disrupt public order, and foster a sense of insecurity). The mayor affirmed that efforts are underway to identify those responsible, ensuring they will be brought to justice.
Riot police (CRS) were dispatched to the scene as an estimated 600 to 800 people were observed moving through the city after the football match. Among this larger crowd, up to one hundred young individuals periodically turned aggressive, with approximately fifty directly engaging in confrontations with law enforcement agencies.
To date, five individuals have been taken into custody in connection with these events, comprising four minors and one adult.
