Barthez Dukes It Out With Nantes Fans, Then Leaves Town

Poor Fabien Barthez. Wasn’t it just four or five months ago that we all (or…well…me, at least) had our fingers crossed for new hope and a fresh start at Nantes? Alas, it seems it’s not to be.

Nantes has four games to go, and they’re still stuck firmly in the cellar of Ligue 1 and facing relegation. Barthez was supposed to be their savior, but after several spectacular bobbles and an inability to save a number of other games… Well, the honeymoon was over. Fabien had even been accused of faking injury to get out of playing.

Things all came to a head this weekend when five Nantes “fans” attacked Barthez’s car as he was leaving the parking lot after Nantes was defeated by Rennes, 2-0.

Roussillon said five drunken fans had blocked Barthez’s car as he was driving out of the Beaujoire stadium. They kicked the car and banged on the windscreen and one fan tried to open the car door, the Nantes president said.
The former world and European champion then got out of his car and started trading punches with one of the fans. Security staff moved in to separate them.
“Fabien is in a state of shock,” Roussillon said. “He has been deeply affected by this assault. This is not acting. He can’t cheat.”

Barthez then packed up his family and left town. (Question: Did anybody else know he had children? How did I miss that?) Local shopkeepers said Barthez stopped by to say good-bye before he left, implying that the separation would be long-term if not permanent. Club President Rudi Roussillon says:

“He has gone to find some comfort with his family. It’s plausible he may not return (for the final matches),” said Roussillon.

“It’s hit him hard, I would even go so far as saying he’s been traumatised.

“He asked us if he could go back to see his family. I hope I can get him to come back, but if he says no then I would understand.”

Poor Fabien. He deserves better than to go out like this.

UPDATE: Here’s the video of the two Rennes goals that happened before he was attacked. Looks like a complete defensive collapse on the part of Nantes. What do you think?