Marseille fireworks earn stadium match ban

French title contenders Marseille revealed on Friday they will have to play a match behind closed doors following the throwing of fireworks by some of their fans at Lyon last December.

“The judgment hanging over the Stade Velodrome has unfortunately fallen, ” the club said on its website. The sanction of one match behind closed doors was pronounced Thursday (by the French league’s disciplinary commission) for use of flares,” Marseille added, while stating it was hoping to win an appeal.

The verdict is suspended and Marseille, who are currently a point off leaders Lyon in the title race as they chase a first championship in 17 years, are hoping at least to have any punishment held over to next season.

During the December 14 match at Lyon’s Stade Gerland, supporters threw nine flares onto the pitch, slightly injuring a steward.

Marseille chairman Pape Diouf insisted the punishment was not merited.

“This sanction does not to us to have any foundation and still less seems to be applicable.”