Football manager shows brutal injuries suffered in bus attack on way to match

30 October 2023 , 15:37

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Football manager shows brutal injuries suffered in bus attack on way to match

Lyon manager Fabio Grosso has revealed the full extent of the facial injuries he suffered after his team's bus was attacked in Marseille.

Grosso and his players were en route for the Ligue 1 clash at the Stade Velodrome when their team bus was the subject of a vicious attack from home fans. Stones and bricks were hurled through the windows of the vehicle, with the manager struck by shards of glass as he tried to scramble for cover.

The Italian World Cup winner received emergency medical treatment as soon as the bus arrived, and was heavily bandaged in a bid to stem the bleeding. Grosso’s assistant, Raffaele Longo, was also hit in the eye by shards of glass as the windows on the right side of the bus gave way following the attack.

Following the attack, authorities took the decision to call off the game, with Marseille now expected to face severe punishment. The club later released an official statement which read: “Olympique de Marseille deplores the unacceptable incidents which took place this evening around the Orange Vélodrome stadium, against the professional team bus as well as Olympique Lyonnais supporter buses.

"The club wishes a speedy recovery to Lyon coach Fabio Grosso and strongly condemns this violent behaviour. It has no place in the world of football and in society."

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The extent of Grosso's injuries became apparent on Monday. The 45-year-old has been pictured in the passenger seat of a car, with the area above his left eye swollen and stitched, with dried blood very much evident.

Fabio Grosso displaying his facial injuries

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Grosso received a total of 13 stitches just above his eye, while his forehead also sustained a gash and severe bruising.

Grosso, who represented Lyon as a player from 2007-2009, took over at the struggling club a month ago following the sacking of Laurent Blanc. The club are currently rooted to the foot of the table, with just three points from nine games.

They now lie seven points away from safety. Marseille meanwhile, lie ninth on 12 points, but are facing calls for a points deduction following Sunday's events.

Fraser Watson