Ultras Supporters Rally Around Charitable Work Amid Group Dissolution
Ultras supporters defend groups through charitable work focus during dissolution process.
Event / Conflict
AS Saint-Étienne Ultras Dissolution
French Interior Ministry initiated dissolution procedures against AS Saint-Étienne ultras groups Magic Fans and Green Angels on April 13, citing stadium damage, pyrotechnic use, and violence. Local officials, the club president, and approximately 4,300 supporters opposed the dissolution, arguing the groups provide essential liaison functions and conduct significant charitable work.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 3 May, 09:36 UTC
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What happened
Support rally for ultras groups attracts 4,300 people in Saint-Étienne
A support rally for the Magic Fans and Green Angels took place on April 11 in Saint-Étienne, attended by socialist mayor Régis Juanico, deputy Pierrick Courbon, senators Pierre-Jean Rochette and Hervé Reynaud, drawing approximately 4,300 people according to the prefecture.
Magic Fans fundraise for cancer research for nearly 30 years
The Magic Fans supporter group has been raising funds for the League Against Cancer for nearly 30 years through regular charitable actions conducted discreetly.
Supporter groups face accusations of stadium damage and pyrotechnic use
Prefectoral interdiction orders against the Saint-Étienne ultras groups cite seat degradation in stands, use of pyrotechnic devices, fights between Stéphanois supporters and against opposing fans, and property damage at highway rest areas as reasons for the dissolution procedure.
French Interior Ministry initiates dissolution procedure for two ASSE ultras groups
The French Interior Ministry announced the opening of a dissolution procedure against Magic Fans and Green Angels, two ultras supporter groups of AS Saint-Étienne, after representatives of both groups presented their defense before the national consultative commission on violence prevention on April 13.
Cross-party politicians and mayor oppose dissolution of supporter groups
On April 2, the socialist mayor of Saint-Étienne Régis Juanico and 10 Loire region parliamentarians from all political tendencies, from La France insoumise to Les Républicains, sent a letter to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressing firm opposition to the dissolution procedure, citing counterproductive public order effects and loss of essential security liaisons.
Green Angels collect food donations for solidarity brigades since COVID
The Green Angels supporter group has been collecting food items for solidarity brigades since the COVID-19 pandemic as part of their charitable activities.
ASSE president opposes dissolution as ineffective security strategy
AS Saint-Étienne president Yvan Gazidis publicly expressed support for the ultras groups, stating in the Progrès newspaper that dissolving two supporter groups does not constitute a security strategy.
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2 alternative perspectives
French Government Ban on ASSE Ultras Groups Draws Political Opposition
Government ultras ban sparks political opposition citing ineffectiveness.