Saint Etienne Fan Arrested After Coin-Throwing Incident in Fiery Derby Win Over Lyon.

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A Saint Etienne supporter was arrested after throwing a coin at assistant referee Mehdi Rahmouni during a heated Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyonnais on April 20, 2025. 

The incident took place shortly before halftime, with Saint Etienne leading 1-0, and forced a 45-minute suspension of the match. Players left the pitch as the referee received medical attention from Lyon’s medical staff.

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The individual responsible for the incident was apprehended while attempting to leave the stadium and is now in police custody, according to a statement from Saint Etienne. 

Despite the disruption and rising tensions, the home side went on to secure a 2-1 victory.

 The result was crucial for Saint Etienne as they continue their battle to avoid relegation, while the defeat dealt a serious blow to Lyon’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

The derby was already marked by heightened security concerns, with no Lyon supporters allowed in the stadium.

 Adding to the already charged atmosphere, Saint Etienne fans taunted their rivals by waving Manchester United jerseys and banners that mocked Lyon’s recent Europa League elimination. 

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Messages thanking Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, whose decisive goal helped knock Lyon out in a dramatic 5-4 quarter-final comeback days earlier, were displayed throughout the stands. Banners reading “Merci, 5” and “Maguire, 4” became symbols of the evening’s off-field rivalry.

These provocations intensified the mood inside the stadium, with Saint Etienne fans seizing the opportunity to mock their rivals and celebrate both their derby victory and Lyon’s recent misfortunes. 

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The win not only earned Saint Etienne valuable points in their fight to stay in Ligue 1 but also delivered regional bragging rights in one of French football’s most bitter rivalries.

This match highlighted the long-standing animosity between the two clubs, with Saint Etienne capitalizing on Lyon’s recent setbacks to lift their spirits and deepen the divide in the Rhône-Alpes football landscape.

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