This Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain welcome PSV Eindhoven to the Parc des Princes for Matchday 3 of the Champions League (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+). It’s a match with a lot of fuss surrounding the travel of Dutch supporters. 2,000 tickets were bought, but there was a prefectoral decree banning their travel. However, the Conseil d’Etat (French administrative court) overturned the order. The Batavians will not be attending, however, as reported in Le Parisien.
“The confusion and challenge of organizing and supervising an authorized European trip three days before the match date may have prompted PS V Eindhoven to protect its supporters and give up their seats, according to a source close to the matter.
For Rob Bogaarts, president of the Dutch club’s supporters’ association, the issue of the ban on distinctive signs (shirts, flags, scarves, colors) around the stadium and in the stand, which he claims was upheld despite the Conseil d’Etat ruling to the contrary, may also have made things difficult. “It’s not possible with 2,000 people,” he posits.
Between the twists and turns and yet more barriers, PSV Eindhoven decided to drop what was supposed to be a great trip. A regrettable situation for soccer and the atmosphere at this Champions League match.
Let’s never forget that it takes 2 teams to play a soccer match, and therefore a minimum of respect. Let’s hope that one day soccer will be a little wiser, with less fear of incidents and an end to these bans.
