It took just 22 minutes for shocking chaos to erupt at the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
A French soccer match turned into a terrifying riot, forcing players to flee for their lives. The Ligue 1 clash between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC was abruptly cancelled.
LOOK:
A massive crowd of hooded ultras breached stadium security, stormed the field and turned the stadium into a war zone. The score was tied 0-0 when the stadium erupted in violence.
TOPSHOT – Nantes fans with smoke flares try to invade the pitch during the French L1 soccer match between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC at the Stade de la Beaujoire Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, western France, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis / AFP via Getty Images) ((Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images))
Dozens of furious Nantes fans were angry about their team's dismal season. They overwhelmed the stewards and broke the security barriers.
POLICE ARRESTS SUSPECTS OF FIGHTING AT ISRAEL-FRANCE SOCCER MATCHES DAYS AFTER ATTACKS ON ISRAELI FANS IN AMSTERDAM
Riot police officers spray tear gas at Nantes fans trying to invade the pitch during the French L1 soccer match between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC at the Stade de la Beaujoire Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, western France, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images) ((Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images))
Dressed in black and hiding their faces, the rioters threw dangerous flares and pyrotechnics directly onto the playing surface. The terrified players of both teams began to run. They ran down the tunnel to the safety of the locker room as the field was invaded.
Riot police equipped with tactical gear were forced to march into the countryside to quell the escalating riot.
After a tense standoff, the police managed to push the invading fans back into the stands. Referees and local authorities quickly determined that the safety of the players could no longer be guaranteed and the match was permanently suspended.
SAN DIEGO FOOTBALL TEAM IMPROVE SECURITY TO EXPELL FANS USING COMMON MEXICAN 'ANTI-GAY' CHANT DURING GAME
The shocking security failure immediately drew condemnation from the highest levels of the French government.
French Sports Minister Marina Ferrari criticized the rioters on social media, calling the dangerous pitch invasion “unacceptable.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
French football officials now face intense pressure to take drastic action against the country's rampant problem of hooliganism. Nantes is expected to face severe punishments. For a club already facing relegation on the pitch, their own fans may have delivered the final, crushing blow.
Riot police officers prevent Nantes fans from invading the field during the French L1 soccer match between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC at the Stade de la Beaujoire Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, western France, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images) ((Photo by Sebastien Salom-Gomis/AFP via Getty Images))
Send us your opinion: [email protected] / Follow me on X: @alejandroaveela
