Summer pre-season fixtures rarely lack intensity, but a friendly match between Metz and Dutch side Fortuna Sittard crossed the line into outright chaos on the pitch in Forbach.
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Subscribe Sekarang →According to reports, the trouble started just before halftime while the French Ligue 2 side was leading one-nil. A shirt-pulling incident sparked a heated argument between Jessy Deminguet and an opposing Fortuna Sittard player.
Based on video footage, the situation escalated rapidly into a full-scale brawl. Match referee Mme Demonay ended up flat on the ground while bravely attempting to separate the fighting players.
Security personnel quickly rushed onto the pitch to restore order. Following the incident, the referee was replaced by one of her assistants for the remainder of the fixture.
Adding an ironic twist to the ugly scene, the altercation unfolded directly in front of a stadium banner reading "Respect the referee."
When play finally resumed, Metz secured a three-one victory thanks to a stellar brace scored by Gauthier Hein.