Marseille clash with Lille suspended after flare is thrown on pitch while fans protest with banners
In Mario Balotelli's Marseille debut, the game was delayed for more than 30 minutes after a firecracker went off in front of home players
LIGUE 1 match between Marseille and Lille was halted for more than 30 minutes after a firecracker was thrown onto the pitch amid protests at the Stade Velodrome.
The firework landed close to an assistant referee and went off in front of Marseille players Kevin Strootman and Jordan Amavi.
The clash kicked off with the stadium partly-empty and banners displayed by protesting fans, aiming at Marseille top brass and coach Rudi Garcia.
One read “you get scammed, your credibility takes hit”, while another stated “fire the coach”.
But the game was in turmoil when one supporter tossed an explosive onto the pitch after 56 minutes of action, which went off in front of the home players.
It landed near linesman Nicolas Danos and then exploded, prompting Marseille midfielder Strootman to cover his ears.
Referee Amaury Delerue ordered the players to leave the pitch, and Lille promptly went back to the changing room.
But, in bizarre scenes, Marseille players stayed on the pitch for a few more minutes.
After a 30-minute delay, both teams returned to action and the game finished with a 2-1 victory for Lille.
Arsenal target Nicolas Pepe scored a brace to secure three points for the visitors.
Former Milan and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli pulled one goal back in his Marseille debut, but it was not enough to inspire the hosts to a comeback.
Marseille finished the clash with 10 men after Newcastle flop Florian Thauvin was given marching orders, following a dangerous second-half tackle on Thiago Mendes.