The Olympique Lyon supporter who threw a bottle of water at Dimitri Payet’s head on Sunday has told his side of the story through his lawyer. The man turned out not to be a member of a supporters group and not a season ticket holder. He was also unknown to the police. The man was immediately arrested on Sunday evening, when he hit Payet’s head after five minutes of playing with a full bottle of water in the match between Lyon and Olympique Marseille.
Le Parisien reports Tuesday that the supporter was placed in police custody on Monday and referred to the prosecutor for his verdict. This was presented in court in Lyon on Tuesday. “He deeply regrets it, for everyone,” says lawyer Me Metaxa on behalf of his client. “For the club, the player and the public. He is a depressed man. He is familiar with all the facts. He is not a member of any supporters group Bad Gones. He is a classic fan from the past. He has been going to the stadium for twenty years, about fifteen times a year. There has never been an incident. He followed the club’s progress towards Ligue 1 and the championships.”
Payet hit by bottle, match definitively stopped | Lyon – Marseille | Highlights
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According to counsel, his client was not immediately aware of the seriousness of his action and he had no intention of hitting the Olympique Marseille midfielder. “When he saw that it was getting restless in the stands, he grabbed a bottle of water. There is a nuance between throwing it at the player and hitting it. He blames himself.” The client’s criminal record is said to include a record for stealing property some ten years ago. The supporter comes from Vaulx-en-Velin, a suburb of Lyon, and works in the cleaning sector.
Me Metaxa placed in court on Tuesday the question of why there were no nets around the field. “Why have they not been placed? How can supporters with bottles in the stands?”, the counselor wondered. Payet has since filed a complaint against the man. The Marseille midfielder told police on Monday that he was still in shock. “I really couldn’t resume the game. I’m still upset. I’m afraid of having to take more corners in the future when we play an away game,” the Frenchman said to the French authorities.
The match between Lyon and Marseille in the Ligue 1 was suspended on Sunday evening after Payet wanted to take a corner in the fourth minute. The captain of Marseille had a full bottle of water thrown at his head and then lay on the grass in pain. Referee Ruddy Buquet decided to stop the game. Less than two hours later, it was decided not to resume the game. The Marseille players refused to continue playing. Lyon must play at least one home game without an audience. The Ligue 1 Disciplinary Committee is investigating the club’s culpability in Sunday night’s incident and expects to issue a ruling on Wednesday, December 8.