The public prosecutor’s office in Reims announced on Thursday that an investigation has been opened after the Reims team reported the presence of disgruntled supporters, who came “wearing masks and armed” to wait for the players, in the night from Friday to Saturday after the draw in Laval.
“A probe is underway for threats with weapons, racial insults, carrying a weapon, and participating in an armed gathering with the intention of committing violence,” detailed Reims deputy prosecutor Mathilde Campagnie on Thursday, specifying that “no perpetrator” has been identified at this stage. This investigation follows the announcement on Tuesday by Stade de Reims of its intention to file a complaint after the intrusion of “individuals claiming to be Ultrem [supporters from the ultra Reims fan group, editor’s note], some wearing masks and armed” at the club’s training center. They had come to “wait for the team” after a match.
The Reims team, currently in fifth place in Ligue 2 after playing in Ligue 1 until 2025 and aiming for promotion at the end of the season, had just drawn (2-2) against Laval, who are 16th in Ligue 2. The presence of law enforcement was deemed “necessary to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control,” the club stated in a press release.
Stade de Reims also called for calm, deploring an “escalation of violent and inappropriate behaviors” since “several months ago” and noting that “the line has been crossed” from Friday to Saturday night. “We understand the frustrations and disappointments, but they cannot in any way justify intimidation, racist remarks, and death threats,” the club further denounced.
