Lille OSC To Pursue Legal Action Against Own Fans Following Racist Incidents
Lille Olympique Sporting Club (LOSC), a prominent French Ligue 1 football club, has announced it will take legal action against a segment of its fanbase following instances of hate speech and racist insults during recent away matches. The club issued a statement on Monday, November 10, 2025, condemning the behavior and emphasizing that such actions are "unacceptable and completely contrary to the values that the club consistently upholds and promotes".
The incidents in question occurred during Lille's away game against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League last Thursday, and continued during their Ligue 1 match against Strasbourg on Sunday. Testimonies and video footage circulating on social media showed some Lille fans directing racist remarks towards opposing players and fans during the 2-0 loss at Strasbourg. Lille also lost 1-0 at Red Star.
"LOSC strongly condemns the unacceptable behaviour observed, as well as the hateful comments and racist insults made by certain individuals in the visitors' section during trips to Belgrade and Strasbourg last Thursday and Sunday," the club stated.
In response, the club has initiated measures to identify the individuals involved. "Concrete measures were taken this morning. A procedure to identify the individuals involved is currently under way, with a view to filing several complaints with the police authorities," the club added. Lille intends to pursue legal action against those identified and seek appropriate sanctions.
This firm stance from Lille OSC arrives amidst growing concerns about fan violence and racism within French football. In April 2025, the French interior ministry proposed a ban on Légion X, a fan group for second-tier football club Paris FC, due to its involvement in serious violence over several years. Furthermore, Olympique Lyonnais reviewed footage of violent incidents involving its supporters following their elimination from the French Cup in January 2025.
Fan behavior has been a recurring issue in French football, with incidents ranging from clashes with players to throwing objects onto the pitch. In May 2025, celebratory riots erupted in Paris following Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Champions League victory, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and numerous arrests.
Lille's decision to take legal action against its own fans signals a strong commitment to combating racism and maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all. The club's proactive approach may set a precedent for other teams in France and across Europe to address similar issues within their fan bases. It remains to be seen what specific legal actions will be pursued and what sanctions will be sought against the individuals involved, but the club's message is clear: such behavior will not be tolerated.
