It's one of the first things you hear when you arrive in Lyon (often said in a tone of irony but not completely): "Don't dress in green and don't speak well of Saint-Etienne if you want to fit in here!" If Lyonnais and Stéphanois have been loving to hate each other for decades, it's mainly because of the rivalry between the two football clubs. But these sporting quarrels, which have too often gone beyond the limits, have origins far beyond just the round ball...
Let's go back to the beginning of the 19th century, to a time when Lyon positioned itself as the capital of silk, absolutely dominant in the field of fabric. Neighboring Saint-Etienne specialized in ribbon manufacturing on its side. An industrial rivalry then developed between the two cities, with Lyon asserting its economic superiority over its neighbor in Saint-Etienne.
Bourgeoisie versus working class
But it was truly in the mid-19th century that things got more complicated.
Lyon investments are pouring into Saint-Étienne, worsening the tensions already present. The industrial crisis hitting the region in the 20th century accentuates the disparities between the two cities: Lyon becomes the symbol of the bourgeoisie, while Saint-Étienne embodies the working class and the lower class.
This social opposition is evident on all fronts, including in the world of football which, as is well known, excels in stirring passions. The derby (the name given to matches between clubs from nearby cities) between Olympique Lyonnais and Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne goes far beyond the boundaries of sport. For many, it is the only true French derby, with rivalry intensified both on the field and in the stands and behind the scenes with leaders who have long despised each other before reconciling for the good of all.
See you next year?
Fans, fervent defenders of their city, do not hesitate to point out the differences between Lyon and Saint-Étienne during matches. If the Verts dominated French football from the 1960s to the 1980s, OL has had the upper hand since the 2000s. But the spirit of competition does not stop there: every goal is celebrated enthusiastically on the field.The opposing fans, each tifo displayed with fervor to mark their territory, while tempers regularly flare on the field and in the stands.
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Since last year and the relegation of AS Saint-Etienne to Ligue 2, the derby is no more. A tough blow for the fans and fervent supporters who clearly miss this clash (which at least happened twice a season). And the fact that the Verts from Saint-Etienne are currently struggling in Ligue 2 does not suggest a quick return of the derby. Unless OL has the very bad idea to join their hated neighbor in the lower tier of French football... An eventuality we prefer not to think about!