The French authorities are inspired by those of the Netherlands. A “fan-zone” will be set up on Thursday in Marseille to welcome Dutch supporters of Feyenoord Rotterdam traveling to the Marseille city for the semi-final return of the Europa League Conference against Olympique de Marseille (OM), a-t -we learned on Tuesday from a source familiar with the matter.
The decision was taken after several meetings between the prefecture, the town hall of Marseille and the OM club, according to the same source, confirming information from Provence “It was immediately obvious that a higher level of security was needed than against Thessaloniki,” this source told AFP on Tuesday, referring to the incidents in Marseille during the quarter-final against PAOK Salonika. .
Encounter classified as “level 5”
In fact, Thursday’s meeting was classified as “level 5” in terms of security by the authorities, the maximum level, said this source. Feyenoord Rotterdam is indeed known to have a particularly violent fringe of supporters. This “fan-zone”, equipped with food-trucks and animated by a DJ, will welcome Dutch supporters from the start of the afternoon on Prado beach, the largest beach in the city.
To reach the Stade Vélodrome, Dutch supporters with tickets will be transported on board shuttles, in order to guarantee their safety and avoid clashes with Marseille fans. Feyenoord supporters will also be prohibited, by prefectural decree, from being identified as such in Marseille. Some 3,200 Dutch supporters are expected at the Stade Vélodrome on Thursday evening, and 1,000 to 1,500 others in town, without a ticket.