PSG fans banned from attending Olympique Marseille's Velodrome again

The president of Collectif Ultras Paris attended the studios of radio station France Bleu Paris on Monday and discussed multiple topics, including the ban of PSG fans from traveling and attending the team's matchup at Olympique Marseille on Wednesday at the Stade Velodrome, part of the next round of the Coupe de France.

Romain Mabille, the honcho of CUP, was rather upset with the decision of the French authorities to ban PSG fans from attending the most important game of the team--a Classique, no less--this season blocking them from travelling and entering the stadium of Olympique Marseille on Wednesday.

"It's been 14 years without going to Marseille... are PSG fans condemned forever?" he openly questioned.

On Monday, the authorities from the Bouches-du-Rhone made the announcement of their prohibition of PSG fans from attending the game against OM on Wednesday. In fact, fans won't even be able to roam the surroundings of the Stade Velodrome in Marseille prior to the French Cup Round of 16 game between both teams.

The authorities backed their decision on "the rivalry between the supporters (of PSG and OM) which has led in the past and on a recurring basis to serious disturbances of the public order", as stated by Frederique Camilleri, prefect of Bouches-du-Rhone.

Of course, Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) and their president Romain Mabille, aren't happy with the decision. "It's the easy solution. The longer we wait to make a trip there again, the more we push back, and the more complicated it will be to eventually organize," Mabille said.

"I don't understand that with the means we have in France, we are not able to organize a football trip. We are open to dialogue. But we lose hope; year after year, we are taken out," continued the CUP president. "Will the people at the Ministry of Sports, at the Ministry of the Interior, ever assume their role and organize a trip for Parisian supporters to see a match in Marseille? It's not unfeasible!"

PSG will therefore play against OM without any fan support at the Velodrome on Wednesday, on what already was looking like a tough outing against the second-best team in the Ligue 1 and playing on the road.

"In the trips we've completed in recent years, our record speaks for itself. In any case, the Classique loses its flavor (without fans from both clubs present at the stadium)," alleged Mabille. "There are no supporters present in Marseille (from PSG) and vice versa, so it loses a bit of its charm."

Mabille finished his remarks by saying that "football, for me, is two teams competing against each other along with their supporters, all singing. That must remain the same. We are in France, we are able to do it, so take responsibility and do it."