PSG fans barred from Marseille trip for Le Classique over security concerns

Paris Saint-Germain supporters were barred from travelling to Marseille for Sunday’s Le Classique because of security concerns surrounding the fixture. | Photo Credit: AFP

Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been banned from travelling to Marseille for Sunday’s Le Classique because of concerns over possible clashes between rival fans.

PSG’s organised ultra group, Collectif Ultras Paris, said it would challenge the decision through an emergency appeal before France’s Council of State.

The group criticised what it described as repeated travel restrictions over the past 11 years and called for greater dialogue between supporters and authorities.

France’s Interior Ministry said the ban was necessary because of the long-standing hostility between supporters of PSG and Marseille. It also referred to trouble surrounding a meeting between the clubs in Paris in February 2018, when eight police officers were injured.

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Away supporters are regularly prohibited from attending fixtures classified as high-risk in France.

The rivalry between PSG and Marseille, widely known as Le Classique, grew in prominence during the 1990s as both clubs became major forces in French football.

Marseille became the first French club to win the Champions League in 1993, while PSG’s fortunes changed significantly following its takeover by Qatari investors in 2011.

PSG heads into Sunday’s match two points above Marseille in the Ligue 1 standings.