Marseille fans protest away-fan ban as government recommendation takes effect

Olympique de Marseille fans unfurled multiple banners in protest of the ban on away fans at multiple Ligue 1 matches, with Prefectoral edicts coming into effect across France

“Freedom for the Ultras”, “Killers of the Ultras movement”, and “Banned from travelling in the country of ‘freedoms’. Today more than ever, freedom to the Ultras” read some of the bans on display at the Vélodrome in the rearranged Choc des Olympiques on Wednesday night. 

The decision to ban away fans from multiple Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games was taken in the wake of the fatal stabbing of an FC Nantes fan outside the Beaujoire ahead of the match against OGC Nice last weekend. Following the incident, France’s Minister of Sport, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra called for a suspension on away fans travelling to matches, and these recommendations are now being adopted by regional authorities across France. 

Any match deemed “at risk” by the DNLH (National Division in the Fight Against Hooliganism) is at risk of seeing away fans barred from the fixture. Stade de Reims fans, for example, have been banned from Sunday’s match against Nice at the Allianz Riviera, RC Lens fans have been banned from making the trip to Montpellier, whilst in Ligue 2, AJ Auxerre fans have been banned from travelling to Troyes. More bans are forthcoming. 

According to RMC Sport, the measures, requested by the Minister of Sports, also affect European matches. The measure could impact three games: RC Lens’ match against Sevilla, Stade Rennais’ match against Villarreal, and Lille OSC’s match against KI Klaksvik. 

As is the case for Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches, the game will have to be considered “at risk” for a ban on away fans to come into place. As local prefectures begin to adopt the governmental