Small groups of supporters of Olympique de Marseille and the Dutch club Feyenoord Rotterdam clashed this Wednesday evening in the city center of Marseille on the Old Port on the eve of the semi-final of the Europe Conference League between the two teams. The police had to intervene several times to prevent the clashes from degenerating but there was no major incident, specifies the police headquarters of Bouches-du-Rhône.
Seven people arrested
A total of seven people were arrested, five Marseilles and two Dutch. Three OM supporters were arrested for “carrying weapons by destination” and two for “transporting firework mortars”. A Dutchman was arrested in possession of a knife, another for “violence against a person holding public authority”. A Feyenoord supporter was also slightly injured during these clashes.
A fan-zone on Prado beach
To avoid new tensions this Thursday before the match, a fan-zone is installed on the Prado beach. It will be accessible from this Thursday at 10 a.m., but only for dutch supporters, whether they have a ticket for the Velodrome or not. Thursday’s meeting is classified as “level 5” in terms of security by the authorities, which is the maximum level.