Feyenoord fans were banned from the Champions League match in Lille over fears of violence

PARIS (AP) – Feyenoord supporters have been banned by French authorities from traveling to Lille for next week’s final Champions League group game between the two clubs. France’s interior ministry says there is a “real and serious risk of confrontation” between supporters of the two teams. Lille host Feyenoord on January 29 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. French authorities say Feyenoord’s travels are often marked by “disturbances of public order due to violent behavior by certain supporters or individuals claiming to be supporters of this team.” They cited several examples of fan violence.

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FILE – Feyenoord’s fans chant slogans before the start of the Champions League opening stage soccer match between Feyenoord and Salzburg, in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Patrick Post, File)

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Patrick Post