Source:REUTERS/ALEXANDRE DIMOU
[Saba Sports News] In the Champions League matches next midweek, Real Madrid will host Marseille at home. However, Spanish authorities have designated this match as high-risk. Regarding this, the Spanish Ministry of Interior stated: “The Standing Committee of the National Commission Against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sports has determined that the first-round Champions League match between Real Madrid and Marseille is high-risk.” It is worth noting that matches designated as high-risk will implement stricter security measures than regular matches. In the past, Marseille fans have frequently caused trouble at away games. Domestically in France, Marseille fans are already banned from attending away matches in Paris or Lyon. Furthermore, on October 1, 2008, after Marseille lost 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in a Champions League away match, traveling Marseille fans were involved in intense clashes with police and opposing fans inside the stadium. At that time, Santos Miracella, a member of a Marseille ultras group, was subsequently arrested for assaulting police officers and sentenced to three and a half years in prison, though he was later released on bail.