Emotional Tribute to Eric Roy Before Brest-PSG Match

Three months after Eric Roy's passing at 58 from pancreatic cancer, Brest fans finally honored their iconic coach ahead of the match against PSG. The tributes unfolded with emotion.

The pre-match atmosphere was deeply emotional. Three months after Eric Roy's death from pancreatic cancer at 58, the Francis Le Blé stadium paid tribute to their coach on Sunday before the PSG game. The LFP had previously denied a request to lift the stadium's supporter ban for the season's opening home match.

The tribute to 'The King' began at 7:45 PM with a wreath-laying ceremony at the mural dedicated to the coach, located on Route de Quimper. His wife Loetitia Roy, Brest president Denis le Saint, and club general director Pascal Robert were present. Earlier, PSG captain Marquinhos, coach Luis Enrique, and sporting advisor Luis Campos laid flowers near a stadium bench.

During their warm-up, the Brest players wore 'King Eric' t-shirts, designed by the Ultras Brestois. The fan group had launched the t-shirt sale shortly after the coach's death, with proceeds going to the 'Mon cartable connecté' association, which supports the education of hospitalized children. Eric Roy was a patron of this charity. The ultras presented a check during the warm-up, with 8-year-old Théo, undergoing cancer treatment, present.

In the away section, PSG supporters displayed a banner reading 'Rest in peace Eric Roy'.

Just before the players entered the pitch, PSG presented Stade Brestois with a jersey in honor of the French coach. A tribute video was then shown on the stadium's big screens.

In a special moment, U2's 'Magnificent', a favorite song of the late coach, played throughout the stadium. The club stated this was a song his family felt he would have envisioned for the players' entrance. Brest players wore a specially designed jersey for the occasion, featuring a crown on the front. The players' names on the back were replaced with 'King'.

The emotional tributes concluded with Victoria-Rose, Eric Roy's daughter, addressing the crowd in the center circle to thank the club. This was followed by a minute of applause. The ceremonial first kick was taken by Victoria-Rose and her mother. At 8:45 PM, Willy Delajod officially started the match, with both teams wearing black armbands.