The attack on French football fan Brice Taton (1984–2009) took place on 17 September 2009 in central Belgrade, ahead of the Partizan–Toulouse match. A group of hooligans assaulted him at Obilićev Venac and threw him down the stairs next to a parking garage.
He died 12 days later from his injuries. His death provoked a strong public reaction. Citizens gathered at Republic Square to pay tribute, and the French Minister of Sports, Rama Yade, visited Belgrade.
The attack was characterized as organized and brutal violence, leading to criminal proceedings against several individuals linked to supporter groups. The trial lasted for years and was marked by retrials, changes in verdicts, and reduced sentences. Initially, the defendants were sentenced to a total of around 240 years in prison, but the penalties were later significantly reduced, and most were released after serving between 7 and 10 years.
Particular attention was drawn to the fact that some of those convicted reappeared in public life after their release, prompting debate about the state’s response to violence and the prevention of similar incidents.
In memory of Brice Taton, the first memorial plaque was installed at the stadium in Toulouse, while a second plaque was placed in central Belgrade on 17 September 2010. The Belgrade plaque was installed by students of the Faculty of Fine Arts at the initiative of the NGO Coalition of Youth Against Violence. Its inscription pays tribute to Brice Taton and calls for opposition to violence.
The image shows a stand named after Brice Taton at the Toulouse stadium, organized by the IT 93 group, during the Toulouse–Lille match on 6 May 2018.
Foto: Gaillac / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
