Ajax fans banned from travelling to Marseille for Champions League clash

The French Interior Ministry has banned Ajax supporters from travelling to Marseille for the upcoming Champions League group stage clash at the Stade Vélodrome on next Tuesday.

The measure, published on Friday, prohibits “any individual or collective travel, by any means, of anyone claiming to be an Ajax Amsterdam supporter (…) between French border points and the city of Marseille.” Authorities cited the violent reputation of sections of Ajax’s fanbase and the “long-standing animosity” between the two sets of supporters as justification.

The decision means Ajax will not be accompanied by travelling support when they face OM on Matchday 2, the club’s first home game in the Champions League since 2020. Marseille opened their campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Real Madrid earlier this month.

The two sides are familiar opponents. They met in the Europa League group stage last season, playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Amsterdam before OM edged the return fixture 4-3 at the Vélodrome. Both games were marked by high tension in the stands.

French authorities have also noted the precedent of serious fan trouble involving OM and Dutch sides, including clashes with Feyenoord fans in May 2022, when violent incidents erupted in central Marseille and around the stadium.

GFFN | George Boxall