French authorities’ strange justifications for ban on Sevilla fans

The strange justification for the ban on Sevilla fans was made official on Monday as a prefectural decree outlined the reasons for the extraordinary step, and left more questions than answers. 

In a transcription provided by RMC , the French authorities announced that ‘ From December the 12th at 10 am until the 13th at 3 am any person claiming to be a supporter of Sevilla FC, or behaving as such, is prohibited from accessing the Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens and its surroundings .’ 

Continuing, that this order was made because the match was ‘ identified as a risk by the National Division for the Fight against Hooliganism. ’ In part, because of previous ‘ attempts between independent Lensois supporters and Spanish supporters the day before the first leg to organise a fight. ’

Furthermore, the authorities also argued that this decision was informed by the Sevilla-Arsenal game where a ‘ brawl between Sevilla and Arsenal supporters broke out outside the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium following the match .’ 

The order looked to then point towards the clashes between Sevilla and AS Roma fans last season ‘ which occurred before the start of the Europa League final .’ 

Before also suggesting that ‘ the bonds of friendship ’ between the supporters of Sevilla and the Belgian club Standard de Liège could provide a risk factor: ‘ given the sporting stakes of the meeting and their geographical proximity, Liège fans could make the trip .’ 

Finally, the order outlined, that their decision was motivated by ‘ the very strong migratory pressure in Calais and the numerous sea crossing attempts by migrants on the coast .’

The decision to ban the Sevilla fans comes against a backdrop of an increased number of travel bans being