“To arms… To arms…” It feels like the Vélodrome this Saturday January 31, 2026 at the Jean-Bouin stadium, where Paris FC and OM face each other during the 20th day of Ligue 1. The opening score on a penalty by Mason Greenwood is celebrated by hundreds of Marseille supporters scattered in the stands, causing several scuffles here and there. Despite a ministerial decree prohibiting their arrival, many of them purchased tickets and supported the Bleu et Blanc among Parisian fans.
This will not be the case this Sunday (8:45 p.m.) during the clasico at the Parc des Princes, where the OM ultras will be absent. The latter are still prohibited from traveling to attend the clash against PSG. A habit since February 2018 and a Coupe de France match.
Even without faithful Olympians, the meeting was classified at level 5, on a scale of 5, by the services of the National Division for the Fight against Hooliganism, which corresponds to “serious risks of disturbances to public order requiring exceptional measures”.
“With PSG, it’s much calmer today”
At the end of January, the Ultras Paris Collective published a letter demanding the opening of the Marseille parking lot: a request left unanswered by the authorities. Subscriber to the north turn, with hundreds of trips to his credit, Nicolas* greets the opposing outstretched hand before broadening the debate: “I agree with them and I believe that this does not only concern Paris or Marseille but everyone. I want to go to Lyon, Saint-Étienne, Nice, Paris and I want the supporters of these clubs to come to Marseille. Among those accustomed to traveling, we all agree with this principle: we are in a country of freedom but we do not have the right to travel. »
Author of several visits to the Parc des Princes in the years 2000-2010, he adds: “We hope to go back one day but we have little hope. From a factual point of view: we have no rivalry with Paris FC – there were no problems in August -, and with PSG, it is much calmer than in the 1990s-2000s. »
Another devotee of the Depé bend, Manuel*, author of his end-of-studies thesis on the subject, admits his pessimism: “As it stands, we will probably never return there. We’re talking about Paris: it’s symbolic, we haven’t been there for years and they don’t come down anymore, but as a general rule, it’s getting worse and worse to travel. The CUP published a press release, which has already been done on our side. Parisian and Marseille supporter groups have been moving in the same direction for years. »
“We’re tired of seeing empty parking lots”
He continues: “We, the people of Marseillais, are all in favor of parking open to Parisians. We’re tired of seeing empty parking lots at the Vélodrome. The best atmospheres are when the visitors’ room is full. »
Included in a group in the northern bend, Lucas* summed up the general state of mind: “We are resigned so we are more focused on European travel and those where we are authorized. Furthermore, OM supporters groups are not part of the National Supporters Association, which does not help matters. The club supports us and appeals, but that doesn’t change the root of the problem. »
Manuel* concludes: “In any case, even when the parking lots are closed, we find OM fans in the stands, which often makes things worse with fights resulting. It’s easier for prefects to prohibit than to put systems in place. »
*All first names have been changed
