A taboo could well be lifted in the world of football. The use of smoke bombs, banned but regularly lit in stadiums, has for years opposed supporters and the authorities. But two MPs have drafted a parliamentary report that could dramatically change the situation. The former Minister of Sports, Marie-George Buffet (PCF), and Sacha Houlié (LREM) plead for a legalization of smoke bombs and more broadly for a relaxation of the doctrine vis-à-vis supporters and ultra groups.
The repressive failure statement
The National Assembly had launched this parliamentary fact-finding mission long before the coronavirus pandemic, which stopped the Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons. In general, the two deputies draw up a very mixed assessment of the policy of "everything repressive "and plead for a better dialogue between the authorities, clubs and groups of supporters. Among their proposals: put an end to collective sanctions such as the closing of the stands, less ban on stadiums and travel in opposing stadiums.
But the most striking proposal, which may seem against the tide of the policies pursued in recent years, is the legalization of the use of smoke bombs. "It is almost impossible to prevent the entry and use of smoke bombs in stadiums. They are very small objects", noted Marie-George Buffet, Wednesday, during a hearing of the commission for cultural affairs and the Assembly Law Commission.
Football: Marie-George Buffet (PCF) evokes "the total failure of the repressive policy in the matter of smoke bombs" and proposes with @SachaHoulie (LaREM) "to open the experiment of their use".
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Authorization yes, but in a very supervised manner
The two deputies therefore propose to authorize smoke bombs, but in a very controlled manner and by engaging the responsibility of groups of supporters. "The smoke is part of the supporters' expression. So we ask for some kind of negotiation to determine when they can use the smoke. But if there is the slightest incident, it will not be the responsibility of the club, but groups of supporters. It's a call to empowerment, "said the former sports minister.
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No way to give a blank check to the supporters. The two deputies propose to limit the use of smoke bombs "in a specific place, within the framework of negotiations with federations and clubs".
Strong reserves of the national division of fight against hooliganism
It must be said that the current situation in football stadiums is both hypocritical and paradoxical. Some clubs even negotiate discreetly with their supporters to determine the number of smoke bombs they will light, hoping to get a simple fine and avoid a closed session. When on television, she does not hesitate to use the images of stands "on fire", in the true sense of the term, to advertise the atmosphere in football stadiums.
However, the road to legalization is still long and could meet opposition from the authorities. The national division of fight against hooliganism expressed from the year important reservations to an official return of the smoke bombs.