Out of a total of nearly 22,000 seats, FC Basel sold 4,000 to French supporters for the reception of OM on Thursday. The two clubs face each other for the second leg of the round of 16 of the Europa League Conference. OM had won 2 goals to 1 in the first leg.
After having prohibited the movement of Marseille supporters, the local police had opted for the closure of the visitor sector in the stands of St. Jakob-Park. Finally, the club left the ticket office open to the French, asking them to book in a specific sector. Bookings increased very quickly, so some French supporters had their tickets cancelled.
The authorities want to avoid scuffles between Marseille and Basel supporters. Before the first leg, a general fight had erupted between rival supporters at the exit of the metro near the Vélodrome.
OM supporters in Basel
“It’s really unfair for us. The Marseille public is important to us”, moved Jorge Sampaoli, the OM coach. He is surprised by this series of decisions, but explains that he “can’t do anything about it”.
Impossible to know how many OM supporters will be in the stands of the Swiss stadium. On the other hand, several OM fans explain on Twitter thatthey have their ticket. “I have my places it has not been canceled”, writes a surfer who makes the trip to Switzerland. Another explains that he will go to Basel even if OM advises against the trip.