Unhappy Nantes fans try to invade president's box

Supporters clash with riot policemen during the French L1 football match between Nantes and Toulouse on November 5, 2016 at the Beaujoire stadium of Nantes, western France. PHOTO: JEAN-SEBASTIEN EVRARD / AFP

The end of the French Ligue 1 match between Nantes and Toulouse on Saturday was marred by trouble as unhappy home supporters tried to get into the president’s box.

A small group of supporters came from one end of the Stade de la Beaujoire and bypassed security as they attempted to get into the box containing Nantes president Waldemar Kita and his son Franck, the club’s director general.

The Kitas and their family were immediately shepherded by police to safety into a lounge inside the stadium while riot police intervened to beat back the would-be invaders.

Spectators caught up in the trouble left their seats to seek shelter by the pitch but many would have missed the home team’s 90th-minute equaliser scored by Polish striker Mariusz Stepinski as Nantes and Toulouse drew 1-1.

The incident was an example of the discontent among some Nantes supporters as their club — eight-time French champions — struggles to rediscover past glories.

They have not finished higher than 13th in Ligue 1 since 2004 and currently sit 15th, two points above the relegation zone.