PARIS — French authorities have prohibited Feyenoord fans from attending the upcoming Champions League match against Lille. This decision was announced by the interior ministry on Wednesday, which cited a significant and tangible risk of violent confrontations between supporters of both teams.
The highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place on January 29 at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where Feyenoord had initially planned to send a substantial number of fans. However, the authorities pointed out a troubling history of disturbances linked to Feyenoord’s followers, noting that issues have often arisen due to the aggressive conduct of certain individuals claiming to represent the club. Numerous incidents of fan violence have been referenced in the ministry’s justifications for the travel ban.
The guidance from the French government revealed that approximately 3,600 fans were expected to attend, yet only 2,600 seats had been provided for the Dutch supporters. Of significant concern was the fact that around 1,000 fans intended to make the trip without tickets, leading to worries that some might attempt to gain unauthorized entry to the stadium.
In a related context, Feyenoord’s recent match against Bayern Munich encountered disruption just after kickoff due to a thick haze of smoke resulting from flares and fireworks ignited by fans. The match was halted for seven minutes as visibility became dangerously low.
The backdrop of these restrictions is marked by a history of disturbances; for example, in May 2022, clashes erupted outside the Stade Velodrome between Marseille and Feyenoord fans prior to an important Europa Conference League semifinal. Disturbing footage from that event showed a Marseille supporter receiving assistance while appearing to be unconscious, alongside scenes of violence as groups charged at each other shortly before the match commenced. In total, around 400 Feyenoord fans were present around the local seaport, with violent skirmishes occurring before and after the game.
The situation mirrors earlier violence experienced in Lille, particularly during a Europa League match in 2010 against Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, where confrontations also marred the event. The ongoing tensions surrounding Feyenoord’s support base have prompted authorities in France to act proactively to avert any potential incidents in the upcoming match.
