In recent weeks, anger has been brewing among Ligue 2 supporters regarding the scheduling of matches broadcasted on beIN Sport. The discontent escalated into collective action as approximately 70 supporters from Grenoble protested before the match against Lorient. On August 24, they vandalized two beIN Sport OB vans, demanding that matches be moved to weekends instead of the current Friday broadcasts.
Supporters have voiced their frustrations, claiming that "BeIN Sports is killing Ligue 2." This sentiment was echoed in stadiums, where banners were displayed, particularly noted during the match in Pau. The Lorient police reported that around fifty individuals attempted to disrupt the broadcast by attacking the vans, despite barriers and security personnel being present.
The police confirmed that the unrest stemmed from the unpopular scheduling of the Ligue 2 matches, which are set for Friday evenings. While the television broadcast of the match between FC Lorient and Grenoble was not canceled, the incident highlights the growing dissatisfaction among fans. An investigation is underway to identify those responsible for the vandalism, which included spraying paint on the vans and damaging equipment.
- The protests are not isolated incidents, as similar actions occurred last week when an OB van belonging to a competing broadcaster was targeted, with its tires punctured before a match in Laval. This pattern of aggression underscores the mounting tensions between fans and broadcasters over scheduling decisions that fans believe undermine their experience of supporting their teams.
