The operation called «Ultras 42» started at six o’clock, mobilizing a hundred police officers, a source close to the investigation told AFP.
The arrested supporters are suspected of having participated in violence that occurred on Sunday May 29, inside the Geoffroy-Guichard stadium after the final whistle and the defeat of the Greens against Auxerre (1-1, 4 t.a.b. à 5 ), synonymous with relegation to Ligue 2.
The Departmental Directorate of Public Security of the Loire had indicated in recent months that four police officers were working full time on this case, in particular by exploiting the images of the 250 cameras from inside the stadium and those of the city of Saint-Etienne, around the enclosure.
In the seconds following the penalty shootout, hundreds of ultras had invaded the lawn, showing their anger by launching smoke bombs and firework mortars towards the official stand, sometimes with tight fire. While their sector of the stadium was the subject of a disciplinary closure, following incidents during the reception of Monaco on April 23, it seems that recidivist ultras from Saint-Etienne have managed to take place in another grandstand.
The violence involving 150 to 200 men, often hidden under hoods, scarves and scarves, had lasted nearly two hours, caused significant damage and left around 30 slightly injured – 14 among the police, 17 among the supporters and two players from Auxerre, according to the prefecture which had mobilized 250 police and gendarmes.
AS Saint-Etienne and the metropolis of Saint-Etienne have filed complaints, in the face of the damage assessed at around 500,000 euros by the club and 90,000 euros on the mainland side.
In sporting terms, the Disciplinary Committee of the Professional Football League (LFP) inflicted on ASSE six withdrawal points in the Ligue 2 championship, three of which are firm, and six matches behind closed doors, two of which are suspended.