Marseille Fans Banned from Traveling to Lyon Due to Violence

The French Ministry of the Interior announced on Thursday that Olympique Marseille fans are banned from traveling to Lyon for their upcoming match on Sunday due to the risk of violence between fans and security forces.

According to Reuters, Marseille will play against Olympique Lyon in the French league without their supporters on Sunday.

The ministry cited several previous violent incidents involving fans from both Lyon and Marseille as the reason for the ban.

The decision stated that there had been previous violent acts against security forces, as well as the use of fireworks, projectiles, and explosives by fans, which caused injuries and property damage.

The ruling specified: “Any individual or group movement by someone identifying as a Marseille supporter or acting as such between the Bouches-du-Rhône region and the municipalities of Décines-Charpieu, Meyzieu, and Lyon (Rhône) is prohibited from midnight Sunday until midnight Monday.”

The ministry also noted a strain on resources due to increased security measures for the Olympics, ongoing protests over unrest in the Middle East, and rising terrorist threats.

Lyon fans had previously been banned from attending a league match against Marseille last December, while last season saw numerous violent incidents in the French league, particularly in matches between the two clubs, leading to arrests and stadium bans.