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Olympique de Marseille has announced that it is exploring all available avenues of appeal after Monegasque authorities prohibited anyone identifying as an OM supporter from travelling to or entering the stadium for Sunday's Ligue 1 meeting with AS Monaco.
The decision means Marseille supporters will be unable to attend the club's first away fixture of the season, a move the French club has described as "wholly disproportionate."
In an official statement, Marseille said it understood the security requirements surrounding football matches but argued that authorities should pursue "proportionate and tailored measures" rather than imposing blanket travel bans.
The club also pointed to the recent history of fixtures between Marseille and Monaco, saying it could not accept collective bans becoming a default response when alternative crowd-management measures could be considered.
"Football cannot exist without those who bring it to life," Marseille said, stressing the importance of supporters to the club's identity and calling for clubs, football authorities and public bodies to work together to protect both supporter access and public safety.
Despite the ban, Marseille will pay tribute to its absent supporters during Sunday's match. The players will wear the "Comme un seul OM" patch on their shirts, a symbol the club has previously used during away matches where its supporters have been prevented from attending.
Marseille said the patch had become a representation of the connection between the team and its travelling supporters.
"Because even when they are kept out of the stands, our supporters remain with us. As one OM," the club concluded.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono
