Rugby crowds in France, late 1920s

Last week, I gave two lectures about French rugby history (nope, it's not my full time job anyway... it remains an amateur contribution...). There are not much theories or texts in my lectures as my guideline is to discuss about old rugby pictures.

Among other things, I have made a point about the rise of violence in French rugby in the late 1920s... not so easy to illustrate, but I believe easy to understand where you look at these over-crowded stadiums...

The upper picture shows the crowd attenting a semi-final of French championship in 1929 in Bordeaux. On that day, Quillan (a smalltown in the lovely Pays Cathare... and 1929 fleeting champion ; a team that focalized all issues about profesionalism and violence in rugby...) defeated Agen (Miroir des Sports, may 1929)

The other picture (L'Illustration, April 1930) shows policemen rescueing people at Stade de Colombes (France - Wales, 0-11 for Wales) after some riots among the audience. In his article, the journalist emphasizes the brutality of the game (several players injured) and the violence of the crowd as it is reported that 20,000 people (!!) with no tickets were trying to enter the stadium... (full article - in French - here)...  The Welsh won't be returning to Paris before... 1947 as French rugby will be banned by the IRB the following year... (thanks John for referring this picture... I bought it...)