Incidents break out with Greek supporters “who were not supposed to be in Marseille”

A match placed under close surveillance by the authorities, which did not prevent incidents from breaking out. Since Wednesday evening, Marseille has been the scene of violence around the quarter-final first leg of the Europa League Conference between Olympique de Marseille and PAOK (9 p.m.).

About 300 Greek supporters arrived on Wednesday evening in the Marseille city, contrary to what was planned. OM supporters tried to confront them, but the police did everything to block the Greeks in their hotel and avoid direct confrontations. “It’s very simple, these Greek supporters weren’t supposed to be in Marseille. The PAOK club had made a written commitment to the authorities that there would be no supporters in Marseille before the match, that was not respected, ”lamented the local authorities. Fights still broke out late in the evening. “They weren’t really aware of where they were stepping,” slips an OM supporter.

Two arrests

New incidents occurred this Thursday at the beginning of the afternoon, near La Joliette, where around 300 to 500 PAOK supporters, all dressed in black, had gathered. A crew from BAC Sud was attacked, two police officers were slightly injured and two Greek supporters were arrested. Several Marseille supporters have denounced arbitrary attacks by Greeks.

Relative calm had returned by mid-afternoon and the Greek supporters gradually boarded buses, escorted by the police, to take them to the Vélodrome stadium. Nearly 3,000 opposing supporters are expected this Thursday evening at the Vélodrome stadium, and we heard a lot of Greek speaking in the streets of Marseille this Thursday afternoon.