BASTIA: Dozens of Bastia fans invaded the pitch at their Armand Cesari stadium and attacked Lyon players as they warmed up for a French Ligue 1 game on Sunday.
Lyon players fled to the dressing rooms and the 1500 GMT kick-off between the two sides was consequently delayed, with some doubt as to whether the game would kick off at all.
Lyon's players were finishing their pre-game warm-up when about 50 Bastia fans targeted them, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
Stewards and Lyon staff rushed onto the pitch to intervene and for a few minutes there was chaos and scuffles until the playing surface was cleared.
It is the second time in a week that Lyon have been caught up in football violence.
Fans streamed onto the pitch in their Europa League home clash with Besiktas on Thursday and the start of the quarter-final first leg was delayed by 45 minutes as officials attempted to clear their Parc OL playing area of fans.
Home supporters poured onto the pitch as they attempted to protect themselves from firecrackers and other objects raining down from the stands above.