The French government has prohibited Ajax Amsterdam supporters from travelling to Marseille for next week’s UEFA Champions League fixture, citing concerns over potential violence.
According to a statement issued on Saturday, the Interior Ministry banned “all individual or collective travel, by any means, of any person identifying as an Ajax Amsterdam supporter … between French road, rail, port and airport border points and the city of Marseille.”
Authorities explained that Ajax fans have a history of violent incidents and that the rivalry between the two clubs “has been marked by animosity for many years.”
The decision, which had been widely anticipated, follows an earlier order on September 12 by Marseille officials restricting Ajax fans from public roads in the city and from entering the Stade Vélodrome on matchday.
French security services remain on high alert, recalling violent confrontations in May 2022 when Marseille faced Dutch side Feyenoord, leading to clashes both in the city centre and near the stadium.
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