Lyon threatened to sue their own supporters this week. After becoming increasingly frustrated by the leadership of coach Rudi Garcia and club president Jean-Michel Aulas, fans had started posting pictures on social media of both men in clown makeup.
Lyon responded with a remarkable statement that said: “The club will now file legal complaints for all content, posted or shared on its social networks, which may constitute abuse, defamation, threat, harassment or incitement to hate or violence.”
The relationship between Lyon and their fans has been toxic and vitriolic over recent years, but it had never been this acrimonious.
Supporters groups – notably the prominent fangroup Bad Gones – have been vehemently critical of the club for some time. Last season, when Bruno Génésio was still in charge, his daughter was insulted by fans in Lyon city centre, which led to an altercation between the manager and fans. The animosity has continued into Garcia’s spell in charge. Continue reading