France extends ban on traveling fans
November 26, 2015
French authorities have extended a measure banning away fans from attending top football matches in France until mid-December with the country in a state of emergency following the Paris attacks and in view of the forthcoming Climate Summit in the capital.
All matches scheduled for this weekend in the professional leagues will be played without traveling fans in accordance with directives from the interior ministry, the French League (LFP) said in statement on Thursday. The league added that the measure will be implemented during Champions League, Europa League, French League and French Cup matches until mid-December.
"These decisions are justified by the lack of police forces available in a period of the state of emergency and by the organization of the COP21 (Climate Summit)," the LFP said.
France has been in a state of emergency since the coordinated terror attacks in Paris two weeks ago.
The Climate Summit is due to take place in Paris from November 30 to December 11. During that time, three rounds of fixtures are scheduled to occur in France's top league, Ligue 1, as well as the eighth round of the French Cup and the final round of the Champions League and Europa League group stages.
ap/dv (Reuters, AP)