AS Saint‑Étienne supporters find themselves facing the threat of heavy sanctions after the fireworks that erupted in the Kop Nord during the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Magic Fans. The pyrotechnic show, triggered after Augustine Boakye's goal, caused the match against Nantes to be interrupted and allowed smoke to accumulate in the Charles-Paret stand, forcing the referee to temporarily suspend the match to allow the air to renew. This situation is reminiscent of the recent cases of Montpellier, Nantes and Red Star, where the use of pyrotechnic devices led to partial closures of stands by the Professional Football League (LFP).
The LFP disciplinary committee has already sanctioned Montpellier for the partial closure of the Étang de Thau stand, Nantes for the Loire de la Beaujoire stand and the Red Star for the North stand of the Bauer stadium, each of these decisions taking effect immediately. These measures clearly demonstrate the commission’s rigor when it comes to safety and compliance with League regulations. The Saint-Etienne club therefore finds itself in a delicate position, because the Kop Nord, which constitutes an integral part of the atmosphere of the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium, is now exposed to possible partial closure.
The club has opened an internal investigation to determine how smoke bombs and fireworks were able to enter the stadium despite previous warnings to ban these devices. This approach aims to clarify responsibilities and demonstrate ASSE’s desire to comply with the rules. However, the final decision will depend on the next meeting of the disciplinary committee, scheduled for Wednesday 4 November at 6 p.m., where the ASSE-Nantes file will be examined in detail.
The consequences of a possible sanction could be significant. A partial closure of the Kop Nord would reduce the stadium's typical atmosphere and affect the experience of fans, who have already expressed concern about the possibility of a harsh decision. ASSE, which has often faced sanctions after similar incidents, will therefore have to prepare for a possible restriction of its stands. Saint-Etienne fans remain vigilant and hope that the commission will make a balanced decision, while recognizing the seriousness of the offenses.