Le Havre AC secured a valuable 1-1 draw away at Olympique Lyonnais on Saturday, August 29th, a result overshadowed by reported racist incidents outside the stadium. The Norman club also confirmed on Tuesday the departure of winger Kyeremeh to Red Star, as reported by Sport.fr.
How did the match in Lyon unfold?
According to the match report from Flashscore.fr, Le Havre held firm at the Groupama Stadium to take a point from their trip to Lyon. OL had taken the lead through Corentin Tolisso in the 59th minute from a Malik Fofana free-kick, capitalizing on a risky outing from goalkeeper Anthony Mpasi. Le Havre equalized in stoppage time, in the 93rd minute, through Keito Nakamura after a quick counter-attack and an initial save from Paul Bernardoni on Samuel Grandsir.
The match, described by 20 Minutes as "pathetic" from Lyon's perspective, saw the Normans display defensive solidity. Le Havre's defense held firm against a Lyon attack lacking inspiration, missing its key element Malik Fofana in the first half. This result allows HAC to collect their first point of the Ligue 1 season after an initial defeat. The club is currently 15th in the standings with 1 point, one goal scored and two conceded.
What happened around the match?
France Info Sport revealed that three people testified to being victims of racist assaults near the Groupama Stadium after the match. An opposition councillor from Rillieux-la-Pape, Meriem Bouchedda, stated on Facebook that she and her partner were "victims of a violent racist assault" by a "group of supporters". Her partner was prescribed 15 days of temporary work incapacity.
Olympique Lyonnais strongly condemned these acts in a statement on Monday, promising "zero tolerance" and the opening of an internal investigation. The club also announced it would join the civil action alongside the victims. Another testimony, published by Le Progrès, concerns a 17-year-old high school student assaulted the same evening, suffering a shattered jaw and a broken nose.
Why is Kyeremeh leaving Le Havre?
The 26-year-old winger officially joined Red Star this Tuesday, as confirmed by Sport.fr. Having arrived at HAC from Caen last summer, Kyeremeh will therefore have spent only one season in Normandy. The club did not disclose the transfer fee or contract details.
Capable of playing in several attacking positions, the French player is seeking more playing time in Ligue 2, a championship he already knows. For Red Star, he is another reinforcement in this final stretch of the transfer window. His departure comes as Le Havre AC trails league leaders Monaco by five points and prepares for its next away game at Troyes on November 21st, against a team currently 6th. You can check the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What is the club's situation in Ligue 1?
With this point taken in Lyon, Le Havre AC avoids sinking further in the standings after two matchdays. The team has a record of one loss and one draw, with a goal difference of -1. The defense, tested in Lyon, held up overall despite the late equalizer conceded.
The next challenge will be a trip to Estac Troyes, scheduled for November 21st. This match against the 6th-placed team represents an opportunity to score points away from home. The current squad, which you can find on our squad page, will need to compensate for Kyeremeh's departure. The club's current position, 15th, can be viewed on the standings.
