Racism returns to French terraces

According to Antoine Boutonnet, head of the National Division for the Fight against Hooliganism (DNLH), 'a worrying phenomenon is the return of racism in the stands'.

He cited a fan arrested for making a Nazi salute during a game at Brest on 28 January, as well as 'six pseudo-Lyon supporters' who were arrested after 'spray painting the cars of Saint-Etienne supporters and a building with signs resembling swastikas'.

"Although the signs are weak for the time being, we're taking them into account immediately and we are extremely vigilant," added Boutonnet.

"There is zero tolerance and we won't hesitate to intervene."

Boutonnet also revealed that, although instances of hooliganism in and around stadiums had fallen, the use of flares and other pyrotechnic devices had risen sharply.