Opposed in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, Olympique de Marseille and Benfica are demanding that their supporters be able to travel during the two matches. It's not win.
Will Marseille supporters be able to travel to Lisbon next week in the Europa League, for the quarter-final return between OM and Benfica? It is far from being won because the Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters plans to ban the arrival of Portuguese supporters this Thursday for the first leg. And the Olympian leaders fear a “principle of reciprocity” which would deprive the Phocaeans of traveling to Portugal.
To take the lead, the two clubs had the good idea of publishing a joint press release. “Olympique de Marseille and SL Benfica appeal to the authorities of both countries so that the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League are played in the presence of supporters of both clubs, both during the first leg, on Thursday April 11, at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, and during the return match, on April 18, at the Orange Vélodrome »can we read in the message relayed in French by OM.
A positive approach from both clubs
“In relation with UEFA and the authorities, the two clubs work in close collaboration to meet all the criteria and guarantee the highest organizational standards in terms of security, also informs OM, in a message of hope. Football is a wonderful vector of emotion and integration which loses its meaning without the presence of the supporters who are the reason for this sport. OM and Benfica are two historic clubs in European football who have immense respect for each other and are therefore launching this joint appeal so that all stakeholders can meet this challenge together.
