There will be no Seville players at the Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens and its surroundings. According to a prefectural decree, the French government has ordered a ban on fans of the Sevilla football club and also from approaching the surrounding area of ​​the stadium in connection with the match between the Gauls and Sevilla, which closes the group stage of the 2023-2024 Champions League. issued by the executive branch.

“From 10:00 on 12 December 2023 until 3:00 on 13 December 2023, anyone claiming to be a Sevilla fan or acting as a fan is prohibited from entering the Bollaert-Delelis stadium in Lens and its surroundings, and as well as driving or parking on public roads,” the French government said.

This measure, enacted by prefectural decree, was proposed in an interview this Sunday by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and is a response to “a real and serious risk of confrontation between the followers of both clubs,” according to a statement by the French chief executive.

The authorities may impose a fine of 6 months in prison and 30,000 euros on Sevilla fans who only approach the sports venue where the continental match will be held.

A decision that the government justifies by citing clashes between Sevilla and Lens fans in the run-up to the first match on September 20; quarrels between Sevilla and Arsenal fans on October 25; as well as incidents with Roma fans before the Europa League final last year.

The measure was not well received by the Federation of Spanish Football Shareholders and Partners (FASFE), an organization that called the ministerial order “illegal.” “We are going to go to court with the help of our colleagues from the French National Supporters Association and the FSE,” they said on their social networks.

The Sevilla FC has already moved this Sunday in response to the statements of the French minister, promoting what was confirmed by decree this Monday, that he is “against” the “disproportionate” measure because he believes that “it causes harm, in in particular, to its fans and football in general.

In addition, he believes that “a dangerous precedent is being created in terms of fan movements,” so he sent UEFA “an official complaint about the procedure carried out without prior notice and with virtually no opportunity for reaction.”