French league game in Montpellier is abandoned after fans throw flares and start fire in a stand

MONTPELLIER, France (AP) — A French league match between bottom side Montpellier and fellow struggler Saint-Etienne was abandoned in the 63rd minute when a fire broke out in a stand after flares were thrown by fans.

Montpellier was trailing 2-0 on Sunday after Lucas Stassin scored twice for the visitors when the match was stopped by referee Francois Letexier.

Television footage showed black smoke coming from the fire. Local media reported that a person lying on the ground behind the goal line was evacuated.

Players from both teams were sent back to the locker rooms as some Montpellier fans trashed seats in the stands. The fire was extinguished but the game did not start again for security reasons, with Montpellier now potentially facing a heavy penalty.

Saint-Etienne supporters had been banned by French authorities from traveling to Montpellier because of a high risk of violence.

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