Paris Saint-Germain fans travelling without tickets issued by the club have been banned from attending this weekend’s French league game at Montpellier because of the risk of violence between hooligans.
Montpellier and PSG fans have a long history of violence. In 2009, a PSG supporter lost an eye after being hit by a beer can during fights outside La Mosson Stadium.
The top government official in Montpellier issued a stadium ban for ticketless PSG supporters ahead of Saturday’s match, PSG said on Wednesday. Its fans also won’t be allowed to gather near the stadium.
With two league rounds left, PSG can claim a third straight title if it manages a draw on Saturday.
Since Qatari investors took over in 2011, PSG officials have tried to eradicate the longtime influence of violent fans’ groups, most of which have been dissolved. They also convinced the French government to establish a controversial list of supporters to watch in order to prevent violence at the club’s matches.
The interior ministry’s decision was, however, suspended by France’s highest administrative court on Wednesday after the Human Rights League and a group fighting for football fans’ rights took the case to the Council of State. The court ruled "there is a serious doubt" surrounding the legality of such a list, and said it will issue a final decision within months.
