High-ranking officials from both clubs have been accused of creating a poisonous atmosphere ahead of Saturday's fractious game by making incendiary comments about their rivals.

There has even been a suggestion that St Etienne players were asked before the match to deliberately take out Juninho, so the playmaker would be forced out of Lyon's Champions League tie against Roma on Tuesday.

The Brazilian ended up being rested by Les Gones for the game, but Caiazzo has rejected those claims out of hand.

"That I could have insinuated that one of my players could deprive Juninho from playing in the match against Roma? That is a completely ridiculous comment," he said.

"You can interrogate the players - since I have been at the club, I have never told them how to play.

"St Etienne did not receive a yellow card. You could even say we lacked aggression.

"We must bring to an end all this polemic."

The match was marred by crowd violence, which halted proceedings for 20 minutes at the start of the second half.

Both sets of fans were seen throwing flares into each other's enclosure, and police were forced to use tear gas to quell disturbances.

Fumes spread onto the pitch, causing a number of players to splutter and use their jerseys to cover their mouths.

Referee Tony Chapron immediately ordered the players off the pitch, and there was a lengthy delay while officials attempted to restore order.

The French league (LFB) have already insisted action will be taken, and on Monday announced that a disciplinary commission will on Thursday study official reports into the incident.

LFB president Frederic Thiriez on Sunday called on the clubs to act more responsibly, saying: "I am urging the fans, but also the officials of the clubs, to stop stirring up hatred."

There was also violence before Sedan's match with Paris St Germain at the Stade Louis-Dugauguez on Saturday night.

Three people were injured in clashes between PSG fans and Dutch hooligans, who had travelled by bus to France.

The Dutchmen were supporters of Eredivisie club Utrecht, who hold a special bond with their Sedan counterparts and had come over to support the team against PSG.

Serge Marchetti, co-ordination and organisation director at Sedan, claims the club will ban from the stadium any individual involved in the incident.

And their president Pascal Urano has said the Ardennes club will liaise with the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB) to prevent Utrecht fans coming over to France to watch Sedan.

"Next time, they (Utrecht fans) will be blocked at the border," Urano said.