On Tuesday, Marseille are set to host Newcastle United in the Champions League.
Monday’s edition of La Provence reports 3,300 Newcastle United supporters are set to arrive in France.
The newspaper local to the French club initially praise the Magpies support. They say the fans have a ‘generally good reputation and are known for creating a friendly atmosphere’. The heightened reporting is partly due to Ajax fans being banned from travelling to Marseille at the end of September.
Despite the praise, Newcastle United supporters will be supervised closely by local authorities.
It’s claimed 3,000 to 3,300 fans of the Tyneside club will be travelling to France, of which 500 are set to arrive on Monday.
Earlier this month, Eddie Howe’s side issued a statement to warn their fans ahead of the trip. The French police told the club their supporters should avoid the Old Port area of Marseille. That’s quite some ask given it’s the centre of tourist activity in the city.
La Provence cover all that and provide their own updates on the ‘special arrangements’ made for visiting supporters.
Local authorities have already ‘issued an order prohibiting’ Newcastle United fans from visiting certain ‘arrondissements’ [areas].
There are exceptions “for those who will be met by police officers after going to the designated meeting point set by the French authorities to be escorted to the Vélodrome stadium.”
Newcastle United fans will gather at Place de la Joliette, where activities and events are already planned.
According to the report, fans are also banned from attending the Youth League match in Martigues.
Again, none of this is a reflection on Newcastle United supporters, more a clear sign that the local authorities are struggling to maintain control for such events.
