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Stopping at nothing: French club shops ransacked and looted during protests

French football clubs Marseille and Lille have been forced to close their official stores following vandalism and looting during protests. The retail outlets were targeted amid demonstrations over the rising cost of living and poor school conditions.
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Marseille confirmed in a statement on Monday that looters caused "significant damage" to their official club shop on La Canebière, the southern port city's most famous avenue. The store has been temporarily closed.

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More than half a million mostly peaceful demonstrators took to the streets across French cities on Saturday, though rogue groups set street fires and looted businesses in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and elsewhere.

In the north of the country, Lille's city-centre club store suffered "extensive damage after being targeted by looters." Lille expressed gratitude to everyone who rallied to offer support in the aftermath—above all the retail staff, but also the numerous passers-by and supporters who spontaneously arrived to provide practical help and solidarity.

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