Illegal football match sparks anxiety in French virus hotspot

An illegal football match played in France’s eastern city of Strasbourg sparked fears on Tuesday the game could lead to a resurgence of the coronavirus  in one of the worst-affected areas in the country.

The match, played on Sunday between teams from the city’s districts of Neuhof and Hautepierre in a local stadium, attracted some 400 spectators in defiance of rules still in place to battle the virus.

France began easing strict lockdown measures a fortnight ago, but gatherings remain limited to 10 people.

The football game drew widespread condemnation and a promise of “severe sanctions” from city hall official Serge Oehler.

But on Tuesday authorities said the priority was health, not punishment, although prosecutors want to track down the organizers.

“Our number one concern is health, it isn’t a trap,” said the senior local official Josiane Chevalier, calling for those who attended to be tested.

From Thursday they can go to a testing center set up at the European Parliament to be screened anonymously, without an appointment nor prior consultation.

“We must absolutely avoid another virus hotspot in Strasbourg and protect the participants” as well as their families, said Chevalier at a video press conference.

Around 400 people attended a local football match in #Strasbourg on Sunday. Fans who ignored social distancing measures and were not wearing face masks were captured cheering for their teams at Paco-Meteo stadium.#France #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/1gefKG2MRO

— Ruptly (@Ruptly) May 26, 2020

“It’s important that the participants understand that their behavior in the next few days can save lives,” added regional health officer Adeline Jenner.

“The test will not be held against them,” she added.

In order to break the chain of transmission that could emerge from the event, Jenner said social distancing measures were essential.

Strasbourg remains in the high-alert “red zone” of domestic virus circulation. Along with Paris, eastern France has been one of the worst hit areas in the country.

So far no-one has been arrested in relation to Sunday’s game, but the police are searching for those responsible.

“The objective of the investigation isn’t to identify all the spectators, but rather the organizers,” said Strasbourg’s chief prosecutor Yolande Renzi, adding that someone must have opened the stadium where the match was held.

Violations of the limit on public gatherings up to 10 people can lead up to a six month prison sentence and a 7,500 euro ($8,237) fine.

Strasbourg mayor Roland Reis said no one should consider a return game between the two sides.

“If there are other events like those on Sunday, all the work done to contain the virus over the two months of lockdown will be put into question,” he said.