The away end at the Vélodrome will remain empty on Sunday night, with Paris Saint-Germain supporters barred from travelling to Marseille for the latest edition of France’s fiercest domestic fixture.
Travel ban upheld before Sunday’s Classico
- The Interior Ministry issued an order preventing PSG supporters from attending Marseille’s home match against the champions, scheduled for 20:45 on Sunday in Ligue 1’s fifth round.
- Collectif Ultras Paris, known as CUP, challenged the measure through emergency legal proceedings before the Conseil d’État.
- On Friday, the court maintained the ban. The judge ruled that, on the evidence available, the contested decisions did not appear to impose a clearly disproportionate restriction on the fundamental freedoms cited by the supporters’ group.
- The decision means there will again be no official Paris away section at the Vélodrome.
Paris supporters have been prohibited from travelling to Marseille since 2015. Authorities have repeatedly justified the restrictions by pointing to the risk of public-order incidents involving followers of the two rival clubs.
CUP promises to continue legal fight
CUP accepted the ruling but made clear that it did not consider the matter closed. The group said a Classico without visiting supporters loses part of its identity, atmosphere and history, adding that it would keep contesting such orders in court.
“We have lost a legal battle, but our struggle for our rights goes on,” the group said.
CUP lawyer Cyril Dubois described the outcome as disappointing. He argued that France’s inability to stage the fixture with away fans was particularly frustrating when major derbies are regularly organised in London.
“It is discouraging that nothing can be arranged here while neighbouring countries manage it,” Dubois said, adding that another season without Parisians in Marseille could not become an accepted routine.
Luis Enrique calls for calm
PSG coach Luis Enrique had addressed the issue earlier on Friday, reflecting on a problem he said had remained difficult throughout his three years in France.
The Spaniard said football should be a force that brings people together, noting its role in education, and expressed his hope that every match could end peacefully and without violence.
