During a 1-1 draw with bottom-placed Valenciennes, Troyes fans took the opportunity to aim a very hostile protest at the City Football Group.
The result left Troyes in 17th position with 38 points, just three points above the two clubs directly below them.
Troyes fans launch flares in protest against City Football Group
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Supporters furious with ownership at Troyes
Match abandoned amid furious protests tonight as Troyes, owned by City Football Group, are all but condemned to relegation to French football’s 3rd tier 🎥 @ActuuFoot10
Special report from 🇫🇷 on how multi-club ownership is threatening European football ⬇️https://t.co/Lnf275kJxu pic.twitter.com/CBbNPNSt4z— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 3, 2024
After suffering relegation from the top flight in French football last season, Troyes fans would have been hoping for their club to, at the very least, be competitive in Ligue 2. But, unfortunately, they have been anything but.
With 36 of 38 matches played, Troyes have accrued just 38 points – winning a mere eight games while losing an astonishing 14. Perhaps more frustratingly, the football played at Stade de l'Aube has been incredibly bleak for large parts of the campaign, with the French outfit scoring just 40 league goals across the season.
A dwindling season that appears to be edging closer and closer to a second relegation in as many seasons, combined with yet another poor performance was the final straw for supporters, who felt compelled to voice their anger against their owners – the City Football Group.
Several flares were thrown onto the pitch accompanied by hostile chants, eventually resulted in the game against Valenciennes being abandoned. Even more shocking is the fact that a number of Troyes players reportedly threw the flares back into the stands.
City Football Group's terrible reign at Troyes
The club were purchased by the City Football Group in September of 2020, and initially, their presence at the French club was celebrated. Their takeover of the club preceded an instant promotion to Ligue 1, and at that moment in time, the future seemed bright.
But, reality took a sour turn after that point and Troyes suffered immediate relegation back to Ligue 2 the following season. Now, frustrations have intensified even further, and if Troyes were to be condemned to back-to-back relegations this season, more protests would likely follow.
Multi-club ownership models have long been controversial within the sport, and it certainly doesn't appear to be working at Troyes currently.