PARIS — Supporters of Saint-Etienne have been prohibited from traveling to Marseille for the upcoming Ligue 1 match this weekend, which will feature two of the largest fan bases in France.
An announcement made by France’s interior ministry on Wednesday highlighted a significant and immediate concern regarding potential clashes between these opposing fan groups.
In the match scheduled for Saturday at the Stade Velodrome, Marseille, currently in second place, will face off against a struggling Saint-Etienne side. While the match between Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain is often touted as the biggest event in French football, known as “Le Classique,” the rivalry between Saint-Etienne and Marseille is notable in its own right. These two clubs were once the most successful in French soccer before the rise of PSG, following their acquisition by Qatari investors in 2011.
Saint-Etienne leads with 10 league titles, one more than Marseille, having thrived in French football during the 1960s and 1970s. Marseille, which became a formidable rival after returning to the top tier in 1966, is the only French team to have secured a Champions League title, winning the prestigious tournament in 1993. They finished just behind “Les Verts” in 1970 and clinched their first title in 23 years ahead of Saint-Etienne in 1971.
Their rivalry, while somewhat mellowed due to Saint-Etienne’s struggles in recent years, continues to be marked by fervent rivalry, with both clubs maintaining a nationwide following. Despite their diminished competitive status, encounters between the teams are always charged.
Historically, the relationship between the fans of Marseille and Saint-Etienne has been fraught with tension. The interior ministry cited this long-standing animosity as a reason for the travel ban, referring to past incidents where violent confrontations required police intervention, resulting in injuries among officers, along with the use of projectiles and fireworks.
One notable incident occurred in March 2024, when Saint-Etienne fans attacked a convoy of Marseille supporters on the highway, throwing stones at their buses. In retaliation, Marseille fans exited their bus to confront a Saint-Etienne supporter who was reported to have signaled their arrival.
Currently, Marseille is positioned second in the French league, trailing by 10 points behind leaders PSG, while Saint-Etienne finds itself in a precarious 16th place in the 18-team standings after 21 matches.
