A footballer was rushed to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed by the brother of a player on the opposing team as the game descended into violence
A young footballer was rushed to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed by the brother of a player on the opposing team.
A match between Racing Toulon and Avignon Under-20s ended in chaos and violence as a mass brawl broke out between the two French teams after Toulon secured a routine victory.
Toulon players reportedly returned to the dressing room but the brother of one of the players from the opposition came down from the stands and attacked an Avignon player, stabbing him in the groin and forcing him to be rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
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An official from Toulon told Var Matin: “The guy pulled out a blade and stabbed the player in the groin. The wound was impressive, with a lot of blood.
“I want to emphasise that the Avignon officials were exemplary in their handling of the situation to prevent it from escalating.
“We called the fire department and the police.”
It’s reported that the player was seriously injured but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Police Commissioner Patrice Bull commented on the alleged attack, saying: “We don’t know the exact cause of the fight.
“For now, we only know that it was the brother of one of the Toulon players who attacked an Avignon player.”
It’s reported that a representative of Racing Toulon suggested that tensions between the two sides already existed prior to the game following a previous clash earlier in the season.
Those tensions are believed to have contributed to the shocking incident after the full-time whistle but investigators are still said to be working to establish the full events.