Overview

• Violence during the Lille-Lens derby on March 30 resulted in 20 arrests and confrontations with police, which Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned as 'unacceptable.'
• The Ministry of the Interior is proceeding with the dissolution of three supporter groups—Magic Fans, Green Angels, and Légion X—citing their involvement in violent incidents.
• Retailleau reported a 41% increase in football-related arrests this season, with 627 incidents recorded since the start of 2024-2025, describing the situation as an 'explosion of violence.'
• Fans across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 protested the government's measures over the weekend, displaying banners critical of Retailleau and calling for dialogue rather than repression.
• The crackdown has intensified tensions between the government and football communities, with critics accusing Retailleau of using the issue to advance his broader political agenda.