Kop of Boulogne
Encyclopedia
The Kop of Boulogne is a stand in the Parc des Princes
which mainly housed the Boulogne Boys, a supporters group associated with the club. It is known as the "most notorious stand in French football" due to its links with violence and far-right political groups. The KOB became synonymous in French public opinion with not only football hooliganism
, but racism
and fascism
since the 80's and continutes to be associated with violent elements within the PSG support due to a number of high profile incidents.
, for young Paris
ian supporters. As a result of the cheap ticket prices in this section of the stadium, a large number of young Paris SG fans began sitting in the area and assigned the anglicised name "Kop of Boulogne" to it after Liverpool F.C.
's famous Spion Kop stand at Anfield
. The KOB is more than simply a name for a section of the stadium: it has emerged as a 'catch all' term for a number of supporters groups housed in the stand and almost constitutes an organisation in its own right. T-shirts, posters, pennants and other items are sold displaying the KOB logo (a bulldog on a French flag) and protests held under the KOB name are a frequent occurrence. The KOB has been linked with hooliganism
since the 80's and continues to be associated with violent elements within the Paris Saint-Germain support. Indeed, the Kop has become synonymous in French public opinion with not only football hooliganism, but racism
and fascism
due to a number of high profile incidents.
In November 2006, Julien Quemener, a member of the 'Boulogne Boys' (a group associated with the KOB), was shot dead following a UEFA Cup
match between Paris Saint-Germain and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The incident occurred after a plain clothes policeman intervened when a group of PSG fans attempted to attack a Hapoel fan outside the stadium. The violent nature of the incident and allegations of racism against the fans involved led to high profile media coverage and a number of government interventions to crack down on football violence within the country. On 21 April 2008, the Boulogne Boys, responsible for a banner that accused Paris Saint-Germain's opponents Lens
of being "pedophiles and inbred", were told by the Interior Minister
to disband or they will face jail time. Reading "Pedophiles, unemployed and inbred: Welcome to the Sticks", the banner was displayed in the League Cup final at the Stade de France
, that French President, Nicolas Sarkozy
, attended. As well as disbanding the Boulogne Boys - who are considered one of the oldest hooligan groups in France - an inquiry into finding and punishing those responsible is underway.
On 28 February, Yann L., a Paris Saint-Germain fan injured in a fight between rival factions of hooligans from the club, was left in a life-threatening coma. The 38-year-old fan sustained a serious head injury ahead of the French league match between fierce rivals PSG and Olympique de Marseille
. Marseille went on to win the match 3-0. The clashes involved hooligans from the two main stands at the Parc des Princes, the Tribune d'Auteuil and the Kop of Boulogne. Boulogne Boys member Yann L. was attacked by another PSG group, the Supras Auteuil. Marseille fans had boycotted the match to protest against security measures imposed on visiting supporters. After several months of relative tranquility, Boulogne and Auteuil fans, angered by their team's poor results and a mutual opposition to the club's chief backer, Colony Capital, started fighting again at the end of last year and clashed violently at Lille
in January. Robin Leproux
then reported that the club won't make available tickets to their fans for away games until further notice.
On 18 March 2010, Yann L. died in the hospital after being in a life-threatening coma since 28 February. Following his death, the LFP announced that PSG had to play their next three fixtures behind closed doors. On 30 April 2010, in light of the violence at the Parc des Princes, French Prime Minister
François Fillon
and Interior Minister
Brice Hortefeux
signed an official decree disbanding five PSG ultras supporters groups. From the Tribune d'Auteuil, the groups Supras Auteuil 1991, Paris 1970 la Grinta and Les Authentiks were dissolved. At the other end of the pitch, the Kop of Boulogne lost Commando Loubard and Milice Paris. Once again, however, it was unclear how this would result in anything different regarding violence in the stands. Technically, the Boulogne Boys (the most notorious of PSG ultras) were banned in 2008, but most of their members have simply infiltrated other groups in the Kop of Boulogne.
On 13 May 2010, supporters of the Tribune de Auteuil called for a "peaceful march" during last season's final league match against Montpellier
in protest against the new anti-violence plan which was being set up by the club management. On 14 May, Sébastien Bazin extended the tenure of President Robin Leproux in Paris until 2013. After a season marked by the violence, Robin Leproux announced the main measures of "All PSG", an anti-violence plan to pacify the Parc des Princes: removal of subscriptions, random distribution of seats and fully supervision by the club over the fans. It was a powerful measure by the club which intended to finally turn a page in its history, often punctuated by serious incidents due to the increasing antagonism between supporters of Auteuil and Boulogne. Since the deadly assault against Yann Lorence during the PSG-OM
on 28 February 2010, Robin Leproux and the club wanted to revolutionize the Parc des Princes.
Paris Saint-Germain at UEFA
News Sites Paris Saint-Germain News from Le Parisien
Paris Saint-Germain News from L'Equipe
Paris Saint-Germain News from Sky Sports
Paris Saint-Germain News from ESPN
Parc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
which mainly housed the Boulogne Boys, a supporters group associated with the club. It is known as the "most notorious stand in French football" due to its links with violence and far-right political groups. The KOB became synonymous in French public opinion with not only football hooliganism
Football hooliganism
Football hooliganism, sometimes referred to by the British media as the English Disease, is unruly and destructive behaviour—such as brawls, vandalism and intimidation—by association football club fans...
, but racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
since the 80's and continutes to be associated with violent elements within the PSG support due to a number of high profile incidents.
History
Officially, the "Kop" as an idea (as opposed to the actual physical section of the stadium) has existed since July 1978; however the first stage in its development goes back to September 1976. In this year, the first Paris Saint-Germain supporters club, 'Les Amis du PSG', was created and presided over by Guy Adam, with the aim of reserving a section in the 'Boulogne' stand of PSG's stadium, the Parc des PrincesParc des Princes
The Parc des Princes is an all-seater football stadium located in the southwest of Paris, France. The venue, with a seating capacity of 48,712 spectators, has been the home of French football club Paris Saint-Germain since 1974. The current Parc des Princes was inaugurated on 4 June 1972, endowed...
, for young Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
ian supporters. As a result of the cheap ticket prices in this section of the stadium, a large number of young Paris SG fans began sitting in the area and assigned the anglicised name "Kop of Boulogne" to it after Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
's famous Spion Kop stand at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. The KOB is more than simply a name for a section of the stadium: it has emerged as a 'catch all' term for a number of supporters groups housed in the stand and almost constitutes an organisation in its own right. T-shirts, posters, pennants and other items are sold displaying the KOB logo (a bulldog on a French flag) and protests held under the KOB name are a frequent occurrence. The KOB has been linked with hooliganism
Football hooliganism
Football hooliganism, sometimes referred to by the British media as the English Disease, is unruly and destructive behaviour—such as brawls, vandalism and intimidation—by association football club fans...
since the 80's and continues to be associated with violent elements within the Paris Saint-Germain support. Indeed, the Kop has become synonymous in French public opinion with not only football hooliganism, but racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
and fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
due to a number of high profile incidents.
In November 2006, Julien Quemener, a member of the 'Boulogne Boys' (a group associated with the KOB), was shot dead following a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
match between Paris Saint-Germain and Hapoel Tel Aviv. The incident occurred after a plain clothes policeman intervened when a group of PSG fans attempted to attack a Hapoel fan outside the stadium. The violent nature of the incident and allegations of racism against the fans involved led to high profile media coverage and a number of government interventions to crack down on football violence within the country. On 21 April 2008, the Boulogne Boys, responsible for a banner that accused Paris Saint-Germain's opponents Lens
RC Lens
Racing Club de Lens is a French association football club based in the northern city of Lens in the Pas-de-Calais department. Its nickname, sang et or , comes from its traditional colours of red and gold. Their primary rivals are their northern neighbors Lille OSC, whom they contest the Derby du...
of being "pedophiles and inbred", were told by the Interior Minister
Minister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
to disband or they will face jail time. Reading "Pedophiles, unemployed and inbred: Welcome to the Sticks", the banner was displayed in the League Cup final at the Stade de France
Stade de France
The Stade de France is the national stadium of France, situated just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. It has an all-seater capacity of 80,000, making it the fifth largest stadium in Europe, and is used by both the France national football team and French rugby union team for...
, that French President, Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy
Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier....
, attended. As well as disbanding the Boulogne Boys - who are considered one of the oldest hooligan groups in France - an inquiry into finding and punishing those responsible is underway.
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
. Marseille went on to win the match 3-0. The clashes involved hooligans from the two main stands at the Parc des Princes, the Tribune d'Auteuil and the Kop of Boulogne. Boulogne Boys member Yann L. was attacked by another PSG group, the Supras Auteuil. Marseille fans had boycotted the match to protest against security measures imposed on visiting supporters. After several months of relative tranquility, Boulogne and Auteuil fans, angered by their team's poor results and a mutual opposition to the club's chief backer, Colony Capital, started fighting again at the end of last year and clashed violently at Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
in January. Robin Leproux
Robin Leproux
Robin Leproux is a French businessman. On 10 September 2009, he was named president of the French football club Paris Saint-Germain replacing Sébastien Bazin.-Career:...
then reported that the club won't make available tickets to their fans for away games until further notice.
On 18 March 2010, Yann L. died in the hospital after being in a life-threatening coma since 28 February. Following his death, the LFP announced that PSG had to play their next three fixtures behind closed doors. On 30 April 2010, in light of the violence at the Parc des Princes, French Prime Minister
Prime Minister of France
The Prime Minister of France in the Fifth Republic is the head of government and of the Council of Ministers of France. The head of state is the President of the French Republic...
François Fillon
François Fillon
François Charles Armand Fillon is the Prime Minister of France. He was appointed to that office by President Nicolas Sarkozy on 17 May 2007. He served initially until 13 November 2010 when he resigned from being prime minister before a planned cabinet reshuffle.On 14 November 2010, Sarkozy...
and Interior Minister
Minister of the Interior (France)
The Minister of the Interior in France is one of the most important governmental cabinet positions, responsible for the following:* The general interior security of the country, with respect to criminal acts or natural catastrophes...
Brice Hortefeux
Brice Hortefeux
Brice Hortefeux is a French politician he was Minister of the Interior, Overseas Territories and Territorial collectivities...
signed an official decree disbanding five PSG ultras supporters groups. From the Tribune d'Auteuil, the groups Supras Auteuil 1991, Paris 1970 la Grinta and Les Authentiks were dissolved. At the other end of the pitch, the Kop of Boulogne lost Commando Loubard and Milice Paris. Once again, however, it was unclear how this would result in anything different regarding violence in the stands. Technically, the Boulogne Boys (the most notorious of PSG ultras) were banned in 2008, but most of their members have simply infiltrated other groups in the Kop of Boulogne.
On 13 May 2010, supporters of the Tribune de Auteuil called for a "peaceful march" during last season's final league match against Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
in protest against the new anti-violence plan which was being set up by the club management. On 14 May, Sébastien Bazin extended the tenure of President Robin Leproux in Paris until 2013. After a season marked by the violence, Robin Leproux announced the main measures of "All PSG", an anti-violence plan to pacify the Parc des Princes: removal of subscriptions, random distribution of seats and fully supervision by the club over the fans. It was a powerful measure by the club which intended to finally turn a page in its history, often punctuated by serious incidents due to the increasing antagonism between supporters of Auteuil and Boulogne. Since the deadly assault against Yann Lorence during the PSG-OM
Le Classique
Le Classique , also known as Derby de France, is a football match contested between French top-flight clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille. The term "Le Classique" is modeled on the El Clásico, contested between Real Madrid and Barcelona. These meetings became important during the...
on 28 February 2010, Robin Leproux and the club wanted to revolutionize the Parc des Princes.
External links
Official Websites PSG.fr Paris Saint-Germain at Ligue 1Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
Paris Saint-Germain at UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
News Sites Paris Saint-Germain News from Le Parisien
Le Parisien
Le Parisien is a French daily newspaper covering both international and national news, and local news of Paris and its suburbs. It was established as Le Parisien libéré by Émilien Amaury in 1944, and the name was changed to the current one in 1986...
Paris Saint-Germain News from L'Equipe
L'Équipe
L'Équipe is a French nationwide daily newspaper devoted to sports, owned by Éditions Philippe Amaury. The paper is noted for coverage of football , rugby, motorsports and cycling...
Paris Saint-Germain News from Sky Sports
Sky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
Paris Saint-Germain News from ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....