Olympiakos supporters banned from Vélodrome for Europa League clash against OM

Olympiakos supporters will not be able to attend their club’s trip to the Vélodrome on Thursday for the second matchday of the Europa League against OM. French authorities have imposed a circulation ban across several districts of Marseille, forcing the Greek club to refund all tickets sold.

In an official statement, Olympiakos condemned the restrictions decided by French authorities, who say they cannot “implement sufficient security measures to address risks related to the movement” of its fans. The measure applies from Wednesday, October 14 at 8 a.m. to Friday, October 16 at 2 a.m., and covers the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th arrondissements of the city. Any person declaring themselves a supporter or representative of the Greek club will be subject to this circulation ban in these zones.

The refund will cover all tickets purchased for this trip: first-category seats, sold for 49 euros, as well as those in the visiting section, offered at 15 euros.

The match has been classified at maximum risk level — a rating of 5 out of 5 — by the National Anti-Hooliganism Directorate. Around 200 Greek supporters are reportedly linked to the hooligan movement, according to security services. The local context makes the situation worse: Commando Ultra 84, the flagship group of Marseille supporters, maintains friendly ties with fans of AEK Athens, Olympiakos’ historic rival, raising fears of clashes between ultras groups.

The mobilization of law enforcement in the region, already stretched by high school protests, also weighed on the authorities’ decision. The match will therefore take place in a diminished atmosphere, with no representatives of the Piraeus club in the Vélodrome stands.