Angry Lyon fans stormed the club’s training centre yesterday, following the club’s third round loss to Sochaux in the League Cup.
Lyon went out 5-3 on penalties after the Saturday’s match ended in a 3-3 draw.
A group of about 50 fans attempted to enter the training centre where the players were holding a meeting. One particular target of their ire was Brazilian defender Edmilson, who missed the decisive penalty in the shootout.
‘I accept criticism from the fans and I accept to talk to them but they should not be violent,’ the Brazilian said.
Saturday’s defeat was the latest setback for the club. In the space of the last two months they have been knocked out of the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the French Cup and now the League Cup.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas called on everyone at the club to get behind the team.
‘We must be united, that’s the only solution,’ he said.
‘Our goal remains to keep our champions title and if we succeed, these incidents will be forgotten.’
‘When selfishness upstages team spirit, you cannot give your best. It is a problem when you have a talented group.
‘It’s not easy to have 15 stars playing together. There are ways to make players aware of this, and that’s what I did this morning,’ Aulas added.
