Olympique Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso reveals he spoke with his 2006 World Cup winning Italy teammate Fabio Grosso after the Lyon bus was attacked. ‘He could’ve lost an eye.’
The shocking incident occurred when the Lyon bus was ambushed on the road towards the Stade Velodrome for their Ligue 1 match over the weekend.
Several windows were smashed and Lyon coach Grosso sustained the most serious injury when he was struck in the face by objects and flying glass.
It left him bleeding from facial injuries, which required 15 stitches, including right above the eye.
“Fabio Grosso could’ve lost an eye,” said Gattuso in his press conference.
“We talked on Monday in a video call and he was already on his way to training. I am sorry this happened, because we have an incredible rapport, we shared something amazing together as players and were preparing for an incredible night of football together on Sunday.
“There were 65,000 people in the stadium, families together, some had even arrived from Belgium for the game. I saw children in tears and the majority of our fans were angry. None of them feel represented by three or four people who ruined a day of celebration.”
Marseille released a statement condemning the ambush and pledging to help police track down and penalise those who were responsible for the attack.
Grosso said afterwards that it was almost a tragedy and Gattuso fully agreed with his former teammate.
“I spoke to Fabio about how lucky he was, because if that had struck him in the eye, he could’ve lost it. At the end of the day, he was actually fortunate in the circumstances.”
The Ligue 1 match was called off on Sunday night and has now been rescheduled for Wednesday December 6.
“At the start, I saw Fabio had blood on his face, I thought it was going to be 3-4 stitches and nothing serious. After seeing what had happened, it was absolutely right that the game not go ahead.
“I am not a security chief, but the Lyon hotel is five minutes from the stadium, so considering it was a high-risk game, they could’ve closed off the road for five minutes. It might be easier to say than to do in practice, but this is what I think,” continued Gattuso.
It was only the latest in a growing list of shocking ultras clashes that have occurred in France over the last few months.
“People always talk about how Margaret Thatcher rooted out hooliganism in England. Strong laws are needed, probably Europe-wide ones.”