Lyon (AFP)

The miraculous qualification won against Leipzig (2-2) on Tuesday in the Champions League was polluted by incidents between players and supporters ultras, new traumatic episode for a club through which tensions and now exposed to sanctions.

The facts: While the team, pushed by coach Rudi Garcia, had come to celebrate the happy outcome of the match with the kop Virage Nord, an individual brandished a calico on which was drawn a donkey with the inscription " Marcelo releases ".

Captain Memphis Depay, furious, then rushed to the fan to defend the Brazilian defender, caught by a fringe of the public for several weeks. And the security personnel had to intervene.

- Penalties to come -

"It's not a beautiful picture but no shot was traded and the captain did his job," said stadium manager Xavier Pierrot, relieved.

OL President Jean-Michel Aulas tried to call for the sacred union. "A club is the leaders, the players, the fans and there can be no distortion, it's me who decides and not the fans," he said.

"There was a distortion of a relationship between some supporters and one or two players, Memphis was great, he is the captain and he took his responsibilities," JMA continued, saying "the supporter (who held the banner) would be sanctioned ".

"I do not want people to insult the players, it's not excusable, I suggested to the fan groups to meet them because I want to solve this problem, it's silly to have these problems after a wonderful match. We will find solutions, "concluded the 70-year-old leader.

- Marcelo's attitude -

These post-match incidents again tarnish the image of Olympique Lyonnais with UEFA, but are not likely to bring down the suspended field of a suspended match that still threatens the club.

Because OL has antecedents: the invasion of the field during a Europa League meeting against Besiktas Istanbul (2017), racist behavior, still in C3, against CSKA Moscow (2018), Nazi greetings in Manchester City (2018) and a fine, again, after incidents against FC Barcelona (February 2019).

"We will not escape a fine, that's for sure," admits Xavier Pierrot.

Tuesday's incidents only concern OL and were noted after the match, although during this one throwing projectiles were deplored when a German player was preparing to shoot a corner.

And if the ultra groups bear responsibility for these incidents, the club intends to find a middle ground also because Marcelo is not exempt from all reproach, with his fingers of honor addressed towards the north stand.

In this context, the future of the Brazilian is inevitably dotted in view of the winter transfer window, provided he can replace it.

- Distance between players and supporters -

This is not the first time Lyon kops have a player in their sights. Tony Vairelles or Jean II Makoun can attest to this.

More recently, they have clearly influenced the departure of coach Bruno Genesio (January 2016-June 2019) but Rudi Garcia, now in office, is in turn targeted.

This small part of the public, considering to play a role in the results of the team, intends to weigh on the sporting orientations and not to be considered only as simple customer.

Because since its installation in the ultra-modern training center of Décines-Charpieu, east of Lyon, the team has closed a little on itself, with training now often behind closed doors. A thousand leagues from the proximity that was in force in Gerland, in the 7th district of Lyon.

Sunday at least, the stadium should however resonate with one voice, since the club will pay tribute to Bernard Lacombe (67 years), icon of OL and adviser to Aulas, who is retiring.

© 2019 AFP