Sevilla appeal ban on away fans at Lens in Champions League

Sevilla lodged an appeal with French authorities over a ban on their supporters attending Tuesday’s Champions League recreation at Lens, which has been imposed after a fan was killed forward of a Ligue 1 recreation earlier this month, the LaLiga membership stated on Monday.

On Dec. 2, a Nantes supporter died in a stabbing incident earlier than their match at Nice. In response, the Interior Ministry on Friday introduced a ban on away fans for a lot of league and cup video games at the weekend.

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This has now been prolonged to incorporate Sevilla supporters and the Spanish membership was knowledgeable of the choice on Monday.

France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin introduced the plan to bar Sevilla fans in an interview with media outlet Brut on Sunday and an order from the Pas-de-Calais authorities confirmed the ban for his or her closing Group B recreation.

“We have lodged an urgent appeal together with the Association Nationale des Supporters against the administrative decision to ban all of our fans from several areas and zones including in Lens and Arras, as well as against the French Ministry of the Interior’s plan to ban flights,” Sevilla stated in an announcement.

“We are aware of the difficulty in changing the policy of the French administration but we will use all legal and diplomatic means available to try to get our fans to the game against Lens.”

Before the official affirmation, Sevilla stated they had been participating with the Spanish authorities to cease the ban, particularly as many fans had booked flights and made journey preparations.

“Quite simply it just does not make sense to ban 300 fans from going to help their team. Dropping this bombshell at late notice is unacceptable,” Sevilla president Jose Castro informed the media on arrival at Lille airport on Monday.

“There was no official word of warning and it is an absolute farce and a breach of the rights of Spanish and European citizens.”

Speaking at a information convention, Lens supervisor Franck Haise additionally spoke out in opposition to the ban.

“I regret the decision, especially given how late the information came,” Haise stated. “How are we going to manage the Olympic Games if we can’t welcome 300 Sevilla fans on French soil? There is a big problem.”

Neither Lens nor Sevilla can attain the Champions League knockout stage however they’re battling to complete third and declare a playoff spot in the Europa League, a contest Sevilla gained final season for a record-extending seventh time.

Lens have 5 factors, three forward of Sevilla, and a draw would due to this fact be sufficient for the French membership.

A win for Sevilla would nevertheless see them end third on the head-to-head tiebreaker after a 1-1 draw with Lens in Spain.