Coach Oliver Glasner from Eintracht Frankfurt appealed to the supporters before the Champions League game at Olympique Marseille, which was classified as a high-risk game.
“We all want to celebrate a football festival in a great stadium, with great teams, with two traditional clubs. Atmospheric, but clearly peaceful,” said the 48-year-old: “Just support your teams.”
After the claws in the Conference League duel between OGC Nice and 1. FC Köln (1: 1) in the previous week, the police prefecture in Marseille issued strict regulations.
Eintracht fans are not allowed to identify themselves as such in four central districts of the city. Classic behavior such as singing songs or wearing scarves and jerseys are prohibited in these areas on Tuesday, the police announced strict crackdown.
“We want to set a good example for football and the culture of football. Not only France but the whole world is looking at us,” said Olympique coach Igor Tudor.
Instead of a riot, midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is hoping for the fans as the “twelfth man,” said the ex-Hertha player: “They have a lot of enthusiasm.” He “don’t believe at all” that something like that in Nice will happen.
Strict rules in Marseille
The route to the stadium was also strictly regulated for Eintracht fans. An individual arrival or even an organized fan march as in Barcelona, London or Seville is not possible. Instead, buses escorted by the police go from the Place de la Joliette to the Stade Velodrome.
Even the perimeter of the stadium is closed to people without a ticket.