French government bans Lyon fans from travelling to Marseille

The French Ministry of Interior issued an order through the Official Journal of the French Republic that will prevent all Olympique de Lyon fans from traveling individually or collectively "under any circumstances" for the 'Choc des Olympiques' to the city of Marseille, forbidding them from entering the city or being there during all the entirety of Sunday. 

The latent danger of incidents between ultras was the reason that led the French authorities to take this decision. They explain that "neither the decree prohibiting any Lyon fan from accessing the Velodrome, nor even moving or parking on the public highway, nor the individual stadium bans, nor even the mobilisation of the security forces, are sufficient to prevent incidents from occurring".

In the decree, the government body adds more reasons. "Olympique de Lyon's trips are often a source of public disorder due to the violent behaviour of some fans and individuals," they justify, and list the precedents of "fights between sympathisers" and "violence against the police" which have caused injuries, from 2016 to Nimes-Lyon on May 24, where altercations once again took place.

Not everything is going in the direction of the hosts. They point to "some of the Olympique de Marseille supporters, who also frequently demonstrate their violent behaviour", and recall "the strong rivalry" that divides the two clubs.