“How are we going to do for the Olympic Games, if we cannot welcome 300 Sevillians on our soil? », questioned Lens coach Franck Haise on Monday, reacting to the travel ban on Sevilla FC supporters.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Sunday that fans of the Andalusian club would not be able to go to the Stade Bollaert to attend this last match of the group stage of the Champions League which will be held on Tuesday (6:45 p.m.). This announcement follows the death of a Nantes supporter during an altercation on December 2 before a Ligue 1 match between the Canaries and Nice.
“Not a move, but a journey”
Sang et Or coach Franck Haise “regrets” this decision, “especially since the information was late”. “The draw took place at the end of August,” recalled the Norman at a press conference. Sevilla fans organized not a trip but a trip. »
Before continuing: “There are 300 or 400 of them, and at the last moment, we tell them no because there are certain problems – all countries have them – and we tell them to stay at home, even if not ten months from the Olympic Games… But how are we going to do for the Olympic Games, if we cannot welcome 300 Sevillians on our soil? »
Sevilla FC wants to lift the ban
“Beyond the late form, there is a real problem,” said Franck Haise. If there are additional means to properly supervise, obviously, but in this way, I don’t think it’s the right solution. »
Sevilla FC protested against the measure in a statement on Sunday, saying it “harms its supporters in particular and football in general, with disproportionate measures that do not seem justified.” The Andalusian club added that it was in contact with the Spanish government to try to obtain the lifting of this ban and indicated that it would turn to UEFA, the European football body.