The Best Tifos of the Weekend and their History
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Not only was there action on the pitch, but also in the stands during Matchday 14 of Ligue 1 McDonald's with some magnificent fan displays.
Supporters in Ligue 1 were fervently behind their teams this weekend, with some stunning tifos and fan displays ahead of the games during Matchday 14. From Lens to Saint-Étienne via Strasbourg and Nantes, we take a look at the action in the stands.
RC Lens vs Montpellier: A Homage to the Sainte-Barbe Tradition
Every 4th of December the city of Lens celebrates Sainte-Barbe, a celebration of the industrial and mining history of Northern France. Supporters of the Sang & Or, including the groups of the Marek and Delacourt stand organised this year's edition with not one but two giant tifos depicting the town's mining past.
Strasbourg vs Reims: 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Strasbourg
The 80th anniversary of the end of the second World War holds a big significance for many of France's towns and cities. On Sunday, supporters in Strasbourg's West Stand paid tribute to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the city of Strasbourg from Nazi occupying forces in 1944. The quote underneath an image of the city's cathedral reads: "Swear not to lay down your arms until the day our beautiful colours fly over Strasbourg cathedral."
Saint-Étienne vs Marseille: Saint-Barbe and Fallen Miners
Sunday evening's gala clash between Saint-Étienne and Marseille was a high-stakes affair. Les Stéphanois lost the battle on the pitch (0-3), but their supporters in both the North and South stands at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard had prepared well with multiple tifos before the game.
As was the case in Lens, Saint-Étienne also has a proud working class history surrounding Sainte-Barbe. Supporters of Les Verts paid homage to the shooting of striking miners in 1869: an episode in history which would become a seminal event in the history of the French labour movement.
FC Nantes vs Stade Rennais: "We Miss You, Max."
Last winter was painful for the FC Nantes faithful after the death of fellow supporter Maxime during a match against OGC Nice last December. A year after those tragic events, supporters in the Loire Stand paid tribute to Max with a banner which read "Max, we miss you so much" against local rivals Stade Rennais on Sunday. It has followed other large tifos which have celebrated the life of Maxime and his importance to the Canaris supporters.
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