Bastia closes stand, promises security upgrade

Bastia - French football club Bastia has closed the stand from which its fans twice invaded the pitch and attacked Lyon players in a Ligue 1 match last weekend.

After legal complaints filed by two Lyon players on Monday the Corsican club closed the stand and promised to upgrade its security.

The club has also filed police complaints against persons unknown for violence at a sporting venue and has promised that everyone involved will be identified.

Bastia said the 'Jojo-Petrignani stand' - from which the pitch invasions were launched - would undergo a security overhaul before its reopening to maximise safety at the Armand-Cesari stadium.

"The club and the vast majority of the supporters refuse to be taken hostage by a minority," the club said.

Already rock bottom of the French top flight, Bastia goes before a French League disciplinary commission on Thursday.

Sunday's clash was called off at half-time with the score at 0-0 after fans of the Corsican side twice invaded the pitch and attacked Lyon players.

An investigation has been opened but no-one was arrested at the Armand Cesari stadium.

The French league's disciplinary commission is certain to hit Bastia hard after it docked them one point - suspended - and ordered the club to close its east stand for three games over racist abuse directed at Nice striker Mario Balotelli in February.