Statement by Ivan Gazidis

AS Saint-Étienne has been notified of the government's intention to dissolve its two primary supporters' groups, created over 30 years ago. The club firmly opposes this measure, deeming it disproportionate and ineffective in addressing stadium violence and discrimination.

AS Saint-Étienne maintains a strong commitment to combating all forms of violence and discrimination, evidenced by its ongoing collaboration with authorities, local councils, and football governing bodies. The club has consistently acted to identify and penalize perpetrators of violence, and will continue to do so.

Our decision to invest in Saint-Étienne was predicated on the club's rich history and the passionate support demonstrated at Geoffroy-Guichard, while acknowledging the existing challenges. We have since dedicated considerable effort to fostering direct and constructive dialogue with our supporter groups, based on mutual trust and adherence to our core values. Significant progress has been achieved. The club believes the proposed dissolution undermines its established dialogue and the progress made with supporters' groups. Furthermore, it raises concerns regarding spectator safety at future matches.

While AS Saint-Étienne supports nationwide stadium safety improvements, it questions the decision-making process and challenges the rationale behind the targeting of its supporters' groups alone, and it will seek a clear explanation of the criteria employed.

AS Saint-Étienne will participate fully in the upcoming procedure. The club remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders, including the government, to effectively address stadium issues.

AS Saint-Étienne requests a constructive dialogue to explore alternative methods of ensuring safety and combating discrimination within stadiums.

Allez les Verts

Ivan Gazidis