The tension was palpable before the start of the match between Marseille and Galatasaray (Europa League). An hour before kick-off, supporters of OM and the Turkish club almost came to blows.
Placed in their yard, Galatasaray supporters, mainly from Belgium and Germany, tried to dismantle a huge safety net to throw seats and firecrackers.
Things heat up in Marseille before #OMGAL pic.twitter.com/UEEKhaopkK
– CANAL + Sport (@CanalplusSport) September 30, 2021
Faced with the scale of the situation and the high risk of confrontation, five CRS companies were mobilized. Tear gas was even reportedly used to disperse supporters.
According to information from Canal + Sport, these images contrasted with the outside of the stadium where the atmosphere was rather good-natured.
The match had been classified as high risk by the authorities. The Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters had thus reinforced security measures, prohibiting processions, parades and gatherings around the Vélodrome. The carrying, transport, possession and use of pyrotechnic devices were also prohibited.
Inside the stadium, the system planned to group together in a stand in a “visitors zone” all the supporters who had acquired their tickets through the Turkish club in Istanbul. A buffer zone empty of spectators has been set up on either side of this visitor zone.
