Football: RC Lens conducts an internal investigation after facts of sexual assault in the stands

Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credit: FRANCOIS LO PRESTI / AFP 15:23 pm, June 01, 2023

Lens, second in Ligue 1, "conducts an investigation" into alleged facts that can be qualified as sexual assault or harassment during matches at the Bollaert stadium, the club announced Thursday to AFP, confirming information from La Voix du Nord. "The Racing Club de Lens, on the basis of the reports expressed, is conducting an investigation and collecting testimonies in order to take the measure of these criminal acts of which it has never been aware until then and which arouses deep indignation in him," the club told AFP.

In recent days, several Lens fans have shared on social networks their experiences at the Bollaert stadium. In an article published Wednesday by the regional daily La voix du Nord, a woman said she was saved by a stewart from the stadium while three men blocked her access to the toilet, one of whom allegedly touched her buttocks. The other testimonies cited refer to sexual chants targeting a supporter, and touching during moments of collective jubilation in the stands.

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"Citizen and Committed Club"

"A citizen and committed club, (Lens) will stand alongside the victims and cannot tolerate such criminal acts," Racing told AFP. Lens "will sensitize all its security personnel so that they intervene if necessary" and "especially invites all alleged victims to file a complaint".

"That women's words on this kind of crime (...) is free, it's obviously a very, very good thing," said Blood and Gold coach Franck Haise at a press conference on Thursday. "I guess if it's in our stadium, it's in a lot of stadiums," he said. "I hope it's in as few stadiums as possible but it's obviously not just in Lens."