Paris Saint-Germain supporters have launched legal action to contest a travel ban preventing them from attending Sunday’s heated clash against Marseille.
Local authorities implemented the restriction due to historic violence between the rival factions. Travelling supporters are frequently barred from high-risk fixtures in France.
However, PSG’s hardcore supporters (The Collectif Ultras Paris) have initiated legal proceedings in an attempt to overturn the government mandate.
The frustrated PSG fan group confirmed they are taking their fight to the highest administrative court in France. They argue that consecutive authorities have failed to communicate properly with supporters over the past decade.
Paris Saint-Germain’s supporters hold a banner reading “Ultras”. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images)
”We are asking our lawyer to bring an emergency procedure before the Council of State in order to contest the upcoming ministerial ban,” the Collectif Ultras Paris confirmed in a statement.
”Since 2015, six prefects have succeeded one another, without any real dialogue ever being established with us. Eleven years of repeated bans cannot take the place of dialogue.”
The fierce rivalry between the two clubs, known universally as Le Classique, exploded in popularity during the 1990s as star players flooded into both squads.
It’s unlikely the decision will be overturned.
According to ESPN, the French Interior ministry justified the latest travel restriction by pointing to a long history of deep hostility between the two fanbases.
They highlighted specific violent incidents that occurred in Paris in February 2018. During that fixture—the most recent match attended by both sets of supporters—eight law enforcement officers sustained injuries.
