The strange justification for the ban on Sevilla fans was made official on Monday as a prefectural decree outlined the reasons for the extraordinary step, and left more questions than answers.
In a transcription provided by RMC, the French authorities announced that ‘From December the 12th at 10 am until the 13th at 3 am any person claiming to be a supporter of Sevilla FC, or behaving as such, is prohibited from accessing the Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens and its surroundings.’
Continuing, that this order was made because the match was ‘identified as a risk by the National Division for the Fight against Hooliganism.’ In part, because of previous ‘attempts between independent Lensois supporters and Spanish supporters the day before the first leg to organise a fight.’
Furthermore, the authorities also argued that this decision was informed by the Sevilla-Arsenal game where a ‘brawl between Sevilla and Arsenal supporters broke out outside the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium following the match.’
The order looked to then point towards the clashes between Sevilla and AS Roma fans last season ‘which occurred before the start of the Europa League final.’
Before also suggesting that ‘the bonds of friendship’ between the supporters of Sevilla and the Belgian club Standard de Liège could provide a risk factor: ‘given the sporting stakes of the meeting and their geographical proximity, Liège fans could make the trip.’
Finally, the order outlined, that their decision was motivated by ‘the very strong migratory pressure in Calais and the numerous sea crossing attempts by migrants on the coast.’
The decision to ban the Sevilla fans comes against a backdrop of an increased number of travel bans being implemented in France following the death of a Nantes fan the weekend before last.
