The chaotic scenes that led to the suspension of the recent FC Nantes vs Toulouse Ligue 1 match have sparked fierce reactions. Roland Menu, president of the Allez Nantes Canaris supporters’ club, condemns the violence that has no place in football.

Pitch invasions, projectile throwing, and the use of flares marked the ill-fated encounter between FC Nantes and Toulouse. The match was ultimately abandoned, leaving the club to face potential severe sanctions.

Roland Menu, a lifelong FC Nantes fan and president of the Allez Nantes Canaris supporters’ club, shares his thoughts on the incident that will likely cost the club dearly.

Do you agree with coach Vahid Halilhodžić and other fans who described the perpetrators as ‘shameful’ and ‘cowardly’ for their actions during Sunday’s match?

Absolutely. It’s shameful and cowardly. I’m deeply saddened by what happened last night. While we all share the frustration over the club’s current situation, storming the pitch is beyond unacceptable. We understand the consequences that will follow, and we won’t tolerate such behavior.

Were you expecting such a violent outburst from the ultras, or did this exceed your worst fears?

We had heard rumors of possible protests, but we assumed they would occur after the match. Nothing prepared us for this level of violence unfolding mid-game, especially with such intensity and scale.

Coach Halilhodžić was visibly distressed. Do you share his frustration and sense of helplessness?

Without a doubt. The coach’s plea was for fans to return to the stands so the match could resume. His reaction was entirely justified—he wanted the game to continue. And to make matters worse, this was his final match with the club. It’s heartbreaking.

Sanctions are inevitable. The league has delayed its decision until May 27. Are you worried about potential stadium bans?

The immediate concern is closed-door matches. This could mean two or three games without fans in August. Worse still, point deductions would cripple our chances next season. It’s already an uphill battle, and losing points would make it nearly impossible to recover.

Some politicians have called for the dissolution of the Brigade Loire following the incidents. Do you support this move?

The Brigade Loire isn’t a supporters’ club; it’s a group of individuals. While they contribute to the stadium atmosphere, their actions yesterday crossed a red line. Pitch invasions aren’t part of what it means to be a true supporter.

So you don’t consider them real supporters?

No. True fandom is about supporting the team through thick and thin, not tearing down the very environment that makes football special.

You’ve been a supporter for over 60 years. Will you continue to stand by the club even if it’s relegated to Ligue 2?

Of course. What matters is the club itself. We’ve weathered good and bad times, poor and great leadership—nothing will change our loyalty to FC Nantes.