Violence mars Ligue 1 opening weekend

Paris: Forty-four French riot and para-military police officers were injured when clashes broke out after a football match between Marseille and Bastia, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said 10 members of the CRS riot police and 34 gendarmes were “injured or bruised” when violence broke out at the stadium on the island of Corsica “before and after” the Ligue 1 match, which ended in a draw on Saturday night.

A source close to the case said scores of supporters of the Bastia team attacked police officers outside the stadium, pelting them with stones and explosive devices.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve called for “an end to this violent behaviour, especially towards security forces who must be respected.”

In April, the Upper Corsican municipality banned supporters of neighbouring club AC Ajaccio from going to Furiani stadium for a match against Bastia.