The Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, expresses his concern over the OGC Nice vs. FC Basel match.
Next Thursday, April 20th, the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final against FC Basel will be held at the Allianz Riviera. A match highly anticipated by all the Gym supporters who are hoping for a victory for the Eagles and a qualification for the semi-finals of the competition. However, Christian Estrosi does not want Swiss supporters to make the trip.
The mayor expressed his concern for the safety of the people of Nice given the reputation of Swiss supporters for being among the most passionate in Europe and very often generating high-risk situations. Last year, FC Basel supporters had already made themselves known in Marseille during a round of 16 match against OM, with violent clashes around the Stade Vélodrome. Thus, their reputation precedes them: they travel in large numbers and enjoy intense atmospheres, and the mayor prefers to take no risks.
As the Mayor of Nice, I prioritize the safety of the residents of Nice above all. And after the recent visitation of supporters from Belgrade, and especially those from Cologne, I can only express my very great concern about the upcoming arrival of hundreds of FC Basel supporters in the streets of Nice. It is out of the question to witness disturbances once again. This is why I am requesting that the Swiss supporters do not travel to Nice on April 20th.
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, Deputy President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region
