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'Horrific': Chaos breaks out mid-match in French football 'disgrace'

Pictured here, the ugly scenes that marred the Nice match against Marseille.
The French football match was marred by ugly scenes as fans stormed the pitch. Pic: Getty

A French football match has descended into chaos after fans stormed the pitch in an ugly clash with officials and players.

The French Ligue 1 game between Nice and Marseille was halted when fans of the home side invaded the pitch and angrily confronted opposing player Dimitri Payet before an ugly brawl broke out involving players and spectators.

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An AFP journalist at the Allianz Riviera Stadium said trouble flared in the 75th minute when Marseille star Payet - who had been pelted with bottles from the Nice fans all game - threw one back towards the crowd.

One video showed what seemed to be an almost full plastic bottle of water hit Payet in the back and explode, as he was walking over to take a corner kick.

Payet had clearly had enough and decided to throw the bottle back towards the crowd in anger, which ultimately kicked off the chaotic scenes.

Angry Nice fans then clambered onto the pitch, threatening Payet, who had collapsed to the ground, before the referee led both teams to the dressing room.

Seen here, Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli is restrained by officials after reacting angrily to the incident.
Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli is restrained by officials after reacting angrily to the actions of Nice fans. Pic: Getty

In the melee, Marseille's Alvaro Gonzalez and Matteo Guendouzi ran towards the end of the ground to face down the fans.

Nice skipper Dante then attempted to calm angry supporters.

A security cordon of stewards, dressed in yellow vests, tried to stem the pitch invasion before a brawl broke out between players of the two teams, supporters and staff.

Marseille coach Jorge Sampaoli was seen being restrained by his staff and players.

Officials tried to restart the match after a lengthy delay but due to the chaotic circumstances, Marseille's players refused to take the pitch again.

Viewers outraged by shocking incident

Making the situation even worse is the fact that French league rules state that Nice will be awarded a 3-0 win because of Marseille's refusal to finish the match, despite the fact they were targeted by unruly fans all match.

The shocking situation led to an outcry on social media, where the football world condemned the disgusting scenes.

Incredibly, it's not even the first time in the new season that Marseille's fans have been at the centre of unruly crowd behaviour.

Marseille's opening 3-2 win at Montpellier two weeks ago was also held up when fans pelted the pitch with bottles.

That clash at Montpellier's Stade Mosson was halted in the 89th minute after Marseille substitute Valentin Rongier was hit on the head.

Montpellier's Florent Mollet was also hit as he was about to take a corner.

with AFP

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