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Thursday afternoon the wait is over. And it’s not good news that FCB fans are getting in Paris: France’s administrative court, the highest possible body, has upheld the decision of the Interior Ministry the previous day. Fans of FC Basel are not allowed in the stadium or in and around the city. So at least those who are recognizable as such with scarves, sweaters or caps.
However, in its response to the final decision, FC Basel also calls on fans who have bought a ticket in the neutral sector of the stadium and intend to go to the match without red-blue clothing, to be careful. It is said that the police could decide to deny or even arrest German-speaking fans from entering the stadium. This has happened in similar cases before. The recommendation for this warning comes from the French lawyer who represented FCB at the administrative court of Paris.
Security guards too busy
In his statement, FCB President David Degen reiterated his disappointment with the fan ban and passed the ball to UEFA: “The way this ban became final on the day of the match itself is extremely disappointing and makes the whole process seem very arbitrary. We see the whole thing as clearly anti-competitive, which is why we expected a strong word from UEFA. Cases like this are on the rise, and they just can’t be – after the UEFA president recently came out strongly against the exclusion of guest fans.
In his motivation, the administrative judge refers to riots in the recent past involving fans of FCB and Nice and to a brawl between hooligans from the two clubs on Wednesday evening in the coastal town of Menton near Nice. In addition, there are not enough police units available to guarantee the safety of match visitors. This is because security forces are currently intercepting illegal immigrants at the maritime border. And because a major strike is announced before the match day against the pension reform planned in France.
FCB fans mark attendance – with stickers
Blick looks around Nice on Thursday. Three police vans are parked on Place Masséna in the heart of the old town. The police officers stand by, chatting and looking boredly at their cellphones. No trace of the announced mega strike. Tourists stroll by and lick ice cream.
And where are the FCB fans who have been traveling to the Côte d’Azur since the beginning of this week? Depending on the source, there is talk of up to 2000. They are not recognizable because everyone adheres to the ban on wearing fan paraphernalia. But you can tell they are there by their subtle signs: in the form of red and blue stickers on lanterns, chairs and flagpoles.
The Muttenzer bend, which traveled to the south of France with about 20 cars, decides to leave the country after the final decision of the administrative court. And to watch the game in Sanremo, Italy, 55 kilometers from Nice.
Suddenly Sanremo becomes the Bebbi hotspot
Before the drive there, a group of hardcore fans insisted on outfoxing the security forces and showing up in front of FC Basel’s team hotel early on Thursday afternoon. There they are greeted by players, join them in shouting battle cries, and then disappear as quickly as they appeared.
According to “Sanremonews”, the Muttenzver corner will spend the morning on the French-Italian border before the fans cross it after the Paris decision. About 1,000 FCB supporters then parade through the center of Sanremo, where football and singing are also taking place. All peaceful.
The chance of fan lawsuits is not bad
Originally they all planned to watch the match in Nice in the away sector. For this, the fans had to buy a voucher from FC Basel last week – and exchange it for a ticket in Nice according to the original plan. The FCB reimburses the 30 francs per voucher to all buyers. But what about the cost of flights or fuel and hotel? Should the fans sue the state of France for this?
Yes, that’s what it should come down to. Because the ventilator exclusion is decided by the Ministry of the Interior. And because this happens at extremely short notice, just the day before the game, insiders say the chances of getting reimbursed for expenses aren’t bad. FCB has announced that it will support its fans in organizing the refund. Anyway.
By the way: on Thursday evening it will be quiet in front of the stadium “Allianz Riviera”. Heavily armed police officers mark the presence, but do not have to intervene as the FCB fans adhere to it despite their anger at their suspension.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
