USAP are reacting… and acting. The Catalan club released a statement on Friday announcing measures for their next Top 14 home game against Stade Français on Saturday 4 October. The announcements follow last Saturday’s incidents against Racing 92. As a reminder, a supporter ran onto the pitch at Aimé-Giral while a scuffle was breaking out between two players. Other supporters were seen throwing beers. Behaviour that quickly prompted reactions, not least from Racing 92 manager Patrice Collazo.

“When I saw that person come onto the pitch, I was more afraid for them than for my players. You can’t punish a club for the actions of a single person. I’m thinking above all of the staff, of Franck (Azéma, editor’s note), of the players. They can’t be 100% responsible for one person’s stupidity. That’s why a stadium ban wouldn’t seem fair to me. This isn’t a collective slip, and the intruder was quickly brought under control. The beers thrown? That didn’t shock me all that much“, he said in the post-match press conference.

Before the LNR on 1 October

To make sure these scenes are not repeated, USAP have decided to put firmer measures in place. The first big announcement: no tickets for the pesage will be on sale. Instead, only season-ticket holders “identifiable by presenting their card at the entrance” will be allowed into the pesage. At the pesage entrances, screening will also be stepped up. “A strict ban on bringing in projectiles (bottles, cups, flags etc…). A cup collection system will be installed at the two main entrances of the pesage“, the blood-and-gold club stated.

The security operation will also be reinforced and “the club will announce on Monday 29 September the measures for preventing and combating antisocial behaviour and violence, which will come into force from the next match and will be there for the long term”. It is worth noting that the incidents against Racing 92 will have to be explained before the LNR disciplinary committee on 1 October.

Last June at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, USAP were handed a suspended stadium ban after fights between supporters at the end of the Catalans’ win. This time, a partial or even full closed-doors match, or a game moved to another venue, could be decided for one of their upcoming home fixtures.