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Following a Champions League match, a group of approximately fifty individuals initiated disruptions near the Robert Schwint bridge in Besançon, bringing traffic to a standstill. Upon arrival, law enforcement officers faced a barrage of projectiles, primarily from minors within the crowd, resulting in slight injuries to five police personnel. Motorists caught in the gridlock witnessed young people climbing onto their vehicles, with at least one car sustaining damage. The group subsequently moved into the city center, congregating notably around Place de la Révolution.
Several thoroughfares, including Grande Rue, Battant, and Rue Courbet, were affected by tear gas deployment. Patrons enjoying outdoor terraces and other pedestrians sought refuge inside establishments, aided by local restaurateurs reacting to the widespread gas. Residents of Besançon reported electric bicycles being toppled and damaged, alongside other acts of vandalism targeting urban furniture.
Besançon mayor condemns post-match violence
Ludovic Fagaut, the mayor of Besançon, swiftly denounced the acts of violence via social media. He asserted, “Nothing can justify exploiting a popular sporting event to cause destruction, disrupt public order, and foster a sense of insecurity.” Mayor Fagaut confirmed that efforts are underway to identify those responsible and ensure they “face justice.“
Riot police (CRS) were dispatched to the scene. An estimated 600 to 800 individuals had been moving through the city following the game, with a subgroup of up to one hundred young people sporadically turning aggressive. Approximately fifty individuals directly confronted law enforcement personnel.
Currently, five individuals have been apprehended in connection with the unrest, comprising four minors and one adult.
