It’s anything but a surprise. The derby on Friday January 21 will be played without Saint-Étienne fans.
A decree was issued by the Rhône prefecture to prohibit access to the OL stadium and its surroundings “to anyone claiming to be an ASSE supporter or behaving as such”.
In effect from 8 a.m. to midnight on January 21, this measure also provides, for the attention of the Saint-Etienne public, a ban on driving and parking in the communes of Décines-Charpieu and Meyzieu, as well as in the city center of Lyon.
The Rhône prefecture considers that “the risk of serious disturbances to public order is proven”, given that “the rivalry between the ultras of the two clubs is still very significant”.
A meeting played in front of 5,000 people
Several direct confrontations between the two camps have erupted in recent years. In addition, the recent movements of the Greens followers have given rise to overflows, such as the Coupe de France match interrupted for 20 minutes at Louhans Cuiseaux after the use of 120 smoke bombs.
On the Lyon side, the acts of violence against OM and Paris FC weigh heavily in the context of this derby.
The prefectural decree further specifies that “the possession, transport and use of firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices and any object that can be used as a projectile” are prohibited, as well as “the possession and transport of any drink. alcoholic ”.
The meeting is expected to be held in front of 5,000 people, unless the government decides in the meantime to adopt the principle of a proportional gauge.