As soon as a travel ban order is published by the Ministry of the Interior, the parking lot for visiting supporters is, most often, closed by the host club. In some cases, places are even resold, like in Paris this Saturday. In the management of a football match, this measure shows several limits, particularly for the safety of opposing fans.
A safe place. This Saturday morning, when the Council of State decided to suspend the ministerial decree concerning the travel ban on FC Nantes supporters, PSG was taken by surprise. However, the day before, several people close to the matter alerted RMC Sport about the possible non-implementation of the decree, conditions not being respected. At the same time, the capital club, with the authorization of the LFP, had resold the visitor parking spaces to fill this part of the Parc des Princes.
In a few hours, Paris Saint-Germain and FC Nantes must find a solution to safely welcome Nantes supporters, who are now authorized to travel to the area. Everything will be back to normal by mid-afternoon. Saturday evening, some FCN supporters will be present to push their team in complete safety.
A contradictory speech
This complete closure of the parks is in total contradiction with what the authorities have said in recent days. The ministers in charge of the file repeat their wish not to sanction supporters collectively but rather individually.
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Since the start of the season, when a travel ban order is issued by the Ministry of the Interior, the League most often authorizes the sale of park tickets for local fans. This decision has serious consequences and condemns a secure and welcoming place for opposing supporters, in the event of a problem in the stadium.
These enclosures, often equipped with protective nets, cameras and anti-intrusion barriers, are completely sealed off from the rest of the enclosure. Bans or restrictions on supporters also increase the number of opposing fans in other parts of the stadium, as during Montpellier–Marseille at the start of the season where the number of OM fans was limited to 450 people.
Still logistical problems in certain stadiums
With travel bans in full force, more and more opposing supporters are deciding to defy the orders issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Which creates more and more tensions in the other stands of the championship with the local supporters. Parking is therefore a security tool and some are campaigning for the permanent opening of parking in all championship venues, even when a travel ban is in force.
Some championship stadiums still pose a problem, particularly with regard to the modernity of the facilities, with the parking lots often being quite poorly secured, particularly when supporters arrive. This creates security gaps when convoys of opposing fans arrive near the stadium. On the other hand, other parking areas, such as in Lyon, allow the arrival of opposing supporters in complete safety. This subject of open parking has no connection with the security of convoys between the two cities. With the development of video surveillance in stadiums, more and more “fights” or attacks on convoys are now taking place far from Ligue 1 venues.
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