France/Serbia - football violence

Football fan remembered in Toulouse and Belgrade

Article published on the 2009-10-02 Latest update 2009-10-02 11:19 TU

Thousands of people carry a banner reading "Stop the violence", as they march in Belgrade on 1 October, 2009. The demonstration took place on a day of mourning held for Toulouse supporter Brice Taton.
(Photo: Reuters)

Toulouse supporters paid a moving tribute to Brice Taton during their Europa League match against Club Brugge on Thursday night.

Taton died on Tuesday after suffering brain damage when he was attacked by fans of opposition side Partizan Belgrade on 17 September, prior to Toulouse’s match in the Serbian capital.

Further demonstrations against violence are planned in Belgrade on Friday after Serbian President Boris Tadic called for the “toughest possible measures” to be handed down against those responsible for Taton’s death. Tadic was speaking on Thursday as he laid flowers in memory of Taton in Belgrade.

"It is very important to identify groups behind these violent acts, those inspiring these groups and ideas that inspire violence in our society," Tadic said, adding that violence "leads to fascism."

"Not a single group must create an atmosphere of violence, because it is precisely such atmospheres that lead to tragedies such as the murder of Brice Taton.”

French Sports Minister Rama Yade travelled to Serbia after Thursday was declared a day of mourning in Belgrade. An estimated 5,000 people later gathered for a protest march in the centre of the city, carrying candles and a single red rose each.

Taton, 28, was one of two Toulouse supporters hurt when they were attacked in a bar before their side’s 3-2 victory over Partizan Belgrade. The second French fan has been released from hospital. Belgrade police have arrested ten people in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, several people were injured in Timisoara, Romania on Thursday night, following scuffles between rival supporters ahead of the Europa League match between FC Timisoara and Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. Fourteen Romanians and 16 Croatians were detained by police.