The Athletic Bilbao vs Olympique de Marseille match in Marseille will have a particular connotation. The French authorities have prohibited Athletic Bilbao fans from displaying or carrying any symbols of the team inside the Stade Vélodrome or in its surroundings. Athletic Bilbao has informed through its website that Olympique de Marseille had communicated that there would be no separation of fans in the match.
What happened in 2016?
In 2016, Athletic Club and Olympique de Marseille faced each other in the Europa League round of 16. The tie ended with the Basque team winning, but it was preceded by serious incidents in the match played in San Mamés. A high-risk game, with over a thousand French fans, and which generated altercations that ended with police charges. A wounded person received a bottle to the neck and was taken to the hospital. Two Ertzaintza agents were also injured in that occasion.
What comes next?
The match against Olympique de Marseille will be the seventh and penultimate friendly match for Athletic Bilbao. Then only the Atalanta test will remain. Athletic Bilbao has indicated that Olympique informs that, in accordance with the measures adopted by the French authorities, it will be prohibited to carry or display Athletic Club symbols both inside the stadium and in its surroundings.
What does this mean for Athletic Bilbao?
The prohibition of Athletic symbols in Marseille is a particular matter that has nothing to do with the purely sporting aspect. The Athletic Bilbao vs Olympique de Marseille match will be a match with an unusual connotation. Athletic Bilbao has informed through its website that Olympique de Marseille had communicated that there would be no separation of fans in the match. Olympique informs that, in accordance with the measures adopted by the French authorities, it will be prohibited to carry or display Athletic Club symbols both inside the stadium and in its surroundings.
