Nantes fan dies after reported stabbing before match vs. Nice

Nantes said one of its supporters died on Saturday following an attack before the club’s 1-0 win over Nice in the French Ligue 1, when the fan was stabbed.

Nantes said in a statement that the fan had been “mortally injured” near the club’s stadium.

According to the newspaper L’Equipe, the supporter was a member of the Brigade Loire, the main group of passionate supporters of Nantes.

“In circumstances which are the subject of an ongoing judicial investigation, the 31-year-old collapsed, hit in the back,” the club said. “Despite the intervention of the emergency services, the fan could not be saved.”

Nantes indicated that the public prosecutor’s office had opened an investigation into intentional homicide.

“Witness interviews are underway and will continue throughout the night,” the club added.

Citing a press release from the prosecutor’s office, L’Equipe indicates that the Nantes supporter collapsed after several vehicles transporting Nice supporters to the Beaujoire stadium were attacked by rival groups.