French league overrules decision on Marseille fans

Posted Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

PARIS (AP)—Marseille fans could be allowed to travel to Paris Saint-Germain after the French football league's appeal commission overruled a decision that banned them from attending the Nov. 7 game.

The LFP had ordered both league matches between the fierce rivals to be played with no away fans this season. Both league games last season were marred by violence, including the death of one PSG fan.

Appeal commission president Jean-Pierre Klein asked for a new meeting involving all parties on a date still to be set.

Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier appealed the ban after criticizing the league for making its decision without consulting with the clubs.

The LFP said Tuesday in a statement that the decision from its competition commission was aimed at “ensuring better security for all following the serious incidents which occurred in the past seasons” but also admitted it should have consulted with both PSG and Marseille first.

There were major clashes in the Marseille city center between the teams' supporters last season and Marseille fans were subsequently banned from attending the return match.

But factions of rival PSG fans fought each other during street clashes and a 38-year-old supporter died after suffering serious head injuries.