PSG fans banned from going to Lens

France is experiencing a constant escalation of violence in the stadium stands. Tonight the clash between Lyon and Marseille was finally suspended after Payet got hit with a bottle in a corner kick right out of the box. Before this unfortunate episode, the police authorities had announced that they will not let PSG fans accompany the team to Lens on December 4. The risk of more incidents has led to this drastic decision.

The match has been declared high risk after the history between the two teams. It is not the first nor the last measure in that sense. At the end of October they also did not allow Parisian fans to travel to Marseille and they will not do so next week to Saint-Étienne. Based on the law, “it is allowed to restrict the freedom of movement of people who recognize themselves as sympathizers of a team (…) whose presence can cause public disorder.”