Dynamo fans ‘rabid dogs who wanted to fight’ – Guingamp president
Guingamp president Bertrand Desplat has branded Dynamo Kyiv fans “rabid dogs” after they forced their Europa League tie to be halted for over 10 minutes.
Shortly after the Ligue 1 club had fallen behind 3-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate in their last-32 clash, their small band of fans were forced to evacuate the stadium when a group of masked supporters found their way onto the athletics track and began to march towards the French supporters, violently trading blows with any stewards who got in their way.
The players were ordered to the dressing rooms, where they remained for close to a quarter of an hour.
“I saw a stadium at war with rabid dogs that wanted to fight,” Desplat told RMC.
“There were 11 heroes in Guingamp colours on the field because organising a match in these security conditions, when the safety of a certain group is not assured, is catastrophic for football.
“These are not fans, they are militiamen. Restarting play? How do you expect the players to focus on their game? It was extremely dangerous.
“This match could only have happened in Ukraine under these conditions.”
The game resumed and the home side were able to hold onto their lead and progress at the French side’s expense.