Shocking Moment: Rugby World Cup Quarter Final Win over Fiji is Marred by Fans FIGHTING in the Stade Velodrome Stands
- 10 months ago
A violent fight broke out in the stands during England's Rugby World Cup quarter-final victory over Fiji. Fans dressed up as admirals were seen scrapping with others inside the Stade Velodrome midway through the match on Sunday (October 15).
England's Rugby World Cup 30-24 quarter-final win over Fiji was marred by fans fighting in the stands.
Several supporters - some dressed as Napoleon - were involved in the brawl at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Rugby podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby posted a video of the brawl on X with the caption: 'Unsavoury scenes at Stade Velodrome as several England fans are removed for fighting.'
The video showed several fans fighting in the stands before Sunday's match.
During the brawl, one fan was flung head-first into female spectators below.
The violence was condemned by other fans.
One fan said: 'Imposters. Rugby fans don’t behave this way.'
Another added: 'Jeez! They’re behaving like soccer hooligans.'
And a third said: 'Admiral Benbow’s has gone down with the ship there. Man overboard too.'
On the pitch, Owen Farrell steered England into the semi-finals of the World Cup after Steve Borthwick's side faced down a Fiji fightback.
England appeared to be cruising into the next round when they led 24-10 heading into the final quarter thanks to tries by Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant and Farrell's pinpoint kicking at Stade Velodrome.
But their foundations shook when Peni Ravai went over in the 65th minute and a nerve-jangling finish beckoned as Vilimoni Botitu crossed to level the score soon after.
Farrell landed a drop-goal to usher in the unbearably tense closing minutes and with Fiji throwing the kitchen sink at them, they picked off a loose pass and sped downfield through Joe Marchant.
Farrell landed his fifth penalty and despite one final assault from the Islanders, the white wall held firm to secure a semi-final against either France or South Africa.
England's Rugby World Cup 30-24 quarter-final win over Fiji was marred by fans fighting in the stands.
Several supporters - some dressed as Napoleon - were involved in the brawl at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
Rugby podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby posted a video of the brawl on X with the caption: 'Unsavoury scenes at Stade Velodrome as several England fans are removed for fighting.'
The video showed several fans fighting in the stands before Sunday's match.
During the brawl, one fan was flung head-first into female spectators below.
The violence was condemned by other fans.
One fan said: 'Imposters. Rugby fans don’t behave this way.'
Another added: 'Jeez! They’re behaving like soccer hooligans.'
And a third said: 'Admiral Benbow’s has gone down with the ship there. Man overboard too.'
On the pitch, Owen Farrell steered England into the semi-finals of the World Cup after Steve Borthwick's side faced down a Fiji fightback.
England appeared to be cruising into the next round when they led 24-10 heading into the final quarter thanks to tries by Manu Tuilagi and Joe Marchant and Farrell's pinpoint kicking at Stade Velodrome.
But their foundations shook when Peni Ravai went over in the 65th minute and a nerve-jangling finish beckoned as Vilimoni Botitu crossed to level the score soon after.
Farrell landed a drop-goal to usher in the unbearably tense closing minutes and with Fiji throwing the kitchen sink at them, they picked off a loose pass and sped downfield through Joe Marchant.
Farrell landed his fifth penalty and despite one final assault from the Islanders, the white wall held firm to secure a semi-final against either France or South Africa.