The prefect halted the final Ligue 1 clash between FC Nantes and Toulouse on Sunday, May 17, after chaotic scenes marred the match. The president of the ‘Allez Nantes Canaris’ supporters’ club has spoken out about the unacceptable violence that overshadowed the game.

Pitch invasions, projectile throwing, smoke bombs, and aggressive behavior dominated the FC Nantes versus Toulouse fixture, forcing officials to abandon the game prematurely.

Roland Menu, a lifelong FC Nantes fan of 60 years and president of the ‘Allez Nantes Canaris’ supporters’ group, expressed his outrage at the incidents that have now put the club in jeopardy.

Do you agree with coach Vahid Halilhodžić’s words and other fans online, calling the perpetrators “shameful” and “cowardly” after the match?

Absolutely. It’s shameful, and those responsible are cowards. I’m deeply saddened by what happened last night. While we’re all frustrated with the club’s current situation, invading the pitch crosses a line. We cannot condone such behavior because we know the severe consequences that will follow for the club.

Did you expect such a violent outburst from ultras groups?

Rumors suggested there might be protests, but we anticipated them at the final whistle—not mid-game. The scale and intensity of the violence caught everyone off guard.

Coach Halilhodžić was visibly distressed; do you share his frustration?

Without a doubt. His plea to fans to return to the stands to resume play was understandable. It was heartbreaking, especially as it marked his final match with the team.

Will the league’s decision on sanctions, expected by May 27, include stadium bans?

Most likely, yes. Closed-door matches mean fans won’t be able to cheer on our team in August. Worse still, point deductions could cripple our start to next season—a fate similar to what Saint-Étienne faced years ago.

Some political figures have called for the dissolution of the Loire Brigade, a supporters’ group linked to the incidents. Is that an appropriate solution?

The Loire Brigade isn’t a supporters’ club—it’s a group of individuals. While they bring energy to the stadium, their actions yesterday were anything but supportive. Invading the pitch isn’t supporting the team; it’s a betrayal of everything football stands for.

Do you consider them real fans?

No. True fandom means supporting the team through thick and thin, not resorting to violence. What we saw was pure hooliganism, not passion.

Despite relegation to Ligue 2, will you continue supporting FC Nantes next season?

Of course. A true fan stands by their club through good times and bad. We’ve weathered poor management, relegation, and financial struggles before. Our loyalty to FC Nantes remains unwavering.