Feyenoord fans banned from travelling to Lille due to risk of violence

Supporters of Dutch club Feyenoord have been banned from travelling to French side Lille for their Champions League clash on Wednesday due to the risk of violence between supporters and law enforcement.

The French Council of State in Paris upheld the ban imposed by the French Interior Ministry after an appeal jointly launched by Feyenoord and supporters group FSV de Feijenoorder in a last-ditch effort to overturn it.

"This decision came despite the club's considerable efforts, including filing the case with Uefa and submitting a detailed plan that Feyenoord believed would allow 2 000 visiting supporters to travel to Lille safely and responsibly," Feyenoord said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Feyenoord is extremely disappointed that the summary proceedings were not settled in the club's favour, but cannot do anything other than accept the outcome in the knowledge that the club, together with FSV de Feijenoorder, has done everything possible to ensure that away supporters are present in Stade Pierre-Mauroy."

Despite no previous encounters between Feyenoord and Lille, the French interior ministry cited recurring violent incidents involving Feyenoord supporters in France, including clashes in Nancy in 2006 and in Marseille in 2022, leading to arrests, injuries, and significant property damage.

The ministry added that out of 3 600 Feyenoord fans expected in Lille, 500 were identified as "high-risk" and that 1 000 ticket-less supporters may attempt forced entry or provoke confrontations in Lille’s narrow streets as only 2 600 seats are allocated to the visiting club.