Ajax supporters are not welcome at the away match against Olympique Marseille, the Amsterdammers communicate via the club channels. The French authorities do not consider it safe enough for fans of the record champion to be present at the Europa League match.
“According to the Prefecture, there is a high risk of disruption of Public Order around the match,” the residents of the capital report on the club website.
“In addition, the terrorist threat level in France is at the highest level, which has a major impact on police capacity. This means that the safety of well-intentioned Ajax supporters cannot be adequately guaranteed.”
An emergency ordinance prohibits Amsterdam residents from traveling to France. “From Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 12:00 noon to Friday, December 1, 2023 at 2:00 a.m., any person claiming to be a supporter of Ajax Amsterdam or behaving as such is prohibited from entering and circulating around the the Dutch Vélodrome stadium .”
“It is also prohibited to park on public roads in the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th and 8th arrondissements of the municipality of Marseille,” the emergency ordinance reads.
On Monday, Ajax already wrote that it was ‘highly uncertain’ whether the Amsterdam team would be allowed to attend. A safety meeting had taken place before this. The conclusion of that consultation is that it is not safe enough for Ajax supporters to visit the match.
Without the support of the supporters, John van ‘t Schip’s team, which is last in the group stage, faces the tough task of beating leader Marseille in France. With a view to wintering in Europe, it is a crucial match for the Amsterdam team.