PSV Fans Challenge Travel Ban for Champions League Match

PSV Eindhoven supporters are taking legal action in France after a general travel ban was imposed, preventing them from attending the Champions League away fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.

The decision, announced by French authorities due to past disturbances, has sparked outrage among PSV fans and the club itself.

In response, the PSV Supporters Association, together with Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and other groups, filed an official request with a French court to lift the ban. “We have joined forces with several organisations to fight this ruling and allow our supporters to attend the match,” said a spokesperson from the Eindhoven fans’ group.

The travel ban, which PSV called “totally unexpected,” affects over 2,000 fans who had already purchased tickets for the 22 October fixture at the Parc des Princes. Although the ban was imposed as a precaution following past incidents, including clashes between PSV and RC Lens fans last year, it has been met with solidarity from various parts of the PSV community, including the club’s business sponsors.

PSV Sponsors Show Solidarity

PSV’s business partners have also decided not to travel to Paris if the fan ban remains in place. “We will all go together or not at all,” stated Frans Janssen, PSV’s commercial director. Many partners expressed their reluctance to attend the game without the supporters, citing concerns for safety as one of the reasons for their decision.

The club emphasised that the ban is not a punishment but a safety measure due to the involvement of certain French fan groups, which could pose a security risk. PSV, however, remains hopeful that the legal appeal will succeed, allowing fans to provide much-needed support as the club struggles in the group stage of the Champions League.

Site Opinion

The legal action taken by PSV supporters highlights the importance of fans in football and their crucial role in creating the atmosphere that defines these grand European nights. Banning fans based on previous incidents, especially when the club itself isn’t under sanction, feels like a heavy-handed approach. The decision undermines the spirit of fair play and penalises thousands of fans who had no involvement in past disturbances.

Moreover, PSV’s decision to align their business relations with the fans shows the strength of unity within the club. In a time when many clubs focus on commercial gains, it’s refreshing to see PSV take a stand alongside their supporters, reinforcing the message that football is for the fans – a principle that should never be overlooked.