**Chaos Erupts at Promotion Play-Off: Rugby Fans Storm Pitch and Violence Ensues**
A French rugby clash descended into alarming scenes on Tuesday as the aftermath of a crucial Top 14 promotion play-off saw rival supporters surge onto the field, sparking violence and forcing players to flee for safety. The high-stakes match between Grenoble and Perpignan, held at Grenoble’s Stade des Alpes, initially promised excitement on sporting terms before events took a disturbing turn after the final whistle.
The tense encounter, which Perpignan edged 13-11, was meant to decide which side would secure a place in the French rugby union’s elite division next season. The result, hard-fought on the pitch, was quickly overshadowed by what unfolded immediately afterwards. Video footage circulated online depicting chaotic scenes of punches and kicks being thrown as fans from both camps invaded the field.
Eyewitnesses report that the violence erupted almost as soon as the match concluded, with security protocols quickly becoming overwhelmed. In a bid to restore order, around 15 officers from France’s CRS riot police—equipped with helmets and shields—were dispatched onto the pitch. Their intervention helped disperse the worst of the fighting, but not before the sense of disorder profoundly marred what should have been an evening of celebration or commiseration.
In an extraordinary development, several Perpignan players were pursued across the turf and all the way to the secure area near their dressing rooms. François Rivière, president of Perpignan, described the extraordinary scene in candid terms, saying, “I had two players chased all the way to the locker room entrance.” He recounted that aggressors had made it into zones that are typically strictly controlled and meant only for players and staff. “They were people who should never have been there, intent on confronting my players. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Rivière said, clearly shaken.
Rivière expressed his shock both at the outright hostility he witnessed and the necessity of riot police entering the heart of a rugby match—a rare sight in the sport. “My shirt was completely stained with blood, because I came to help supporters in difficulty,” he revealed, underlining the volatility of the situation. “I am sorry for this atmosphere… I have rarely seen such hostility in my career.”
The home supporters’ frustration may have had deeper roots, as Grenoble’s campaign ended in heartbreak for the third consecutive year. The club, featuring Welsh international Sam Davies, once again fell short of promotion, despite finishing at the summit of the Pro D2 league with an impressive 98-point tally. Having lost this and a previous play-off fixture with Montauban, the team face another season outside the Top 14, compounding the disappointment for fans and players alike.
Sam Davies, the former Dragons fly-half, has been one of Grenoble’s stars, impressing audiences throughout the season and even attracting attention from larger European clubs. Despite the speculation, he committed his future to Grenoble with a new contract signed in January.
Whilst on-field rivalries and even occasional crowd exuberance are part and parcel of top-tier sport, events in Grenoble appeared to cross a line. Rugby’s proud traditions of respect and sportsmanship were sorely tested as violence threatened to define a pivotal encounter in the French rugby calendar.
Questions now abound about security arrangements at major rugby fixtures and how governing bodies will ensure similar incidents are avoided in the future. Both clubs are expected to cooperate with authorities as investigations into the scenes at Stade des Alpes continue.
As the dust settles, the French rugby community finds itself reflecting not just on the outcome of a hard-fought contest, but on how quickly passion for the game can erupt into something far less savoury, casting a shadow over players, supporters, and the sport itself.