PSG stop ticket sales for away games
Reuters - Tuesday 02 March 2010, 12:43
PARIS - Paris Saint-Germain have stopped
selling tickets for away games after a fan suffered a
life-threatening head injury in a fight between rival hooligans
before Sunday's Ligue 1 match at home to Olympique Marseille.
"Violence is at its height, we have reached a new level of
urban guerrilla warfare," PSG chairman Robin Leproux said in a
statement on the club's website on Tuesday.
"Until further notice, we shall not sell tickets to our
supporters for our away games. It's a far-reaching and
distressing decision but I have to ensure the safety of all."
The 38-year-old supporter, a member of the Kop of Boulogne,
fell into a coma after being attacked by members of a rival
group based in the Tribune d'Auteuil before Sunday's game.
Fans also clashed after the match, which PSG lost 3-0, and
police said the seven people arrested and are still in custody.
PSG's long history of hooliganism peaked in November 2006
when a police officer shot and killed a member of the Boulogne
Boys faction to protect an Israeli supporter under attack after
a UEFA Cup match against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Struggling PSG are 12th in the standings after a run of poor
results has left them with 33 points from 26 games.