Getting this right is really difficult. Would I want a set of fans coming to my home town, when they have a history of creating trouble and will magnetise even more under current circumstances? If you don't allow them, will that make matters worse ? If they are allowed to attend, I hope to **** it goes peacefully or things are going to get even worse.
It's not that uncommon for away fans to be banned from attending games if there is a significant safety threat.
Red Star Belgrade fans were banned from going away to Inter Milan, in the Champions League second round match in Sept 2024. The Milan city authorities and Italian police have banned them from coming because of fears they will cause disorder.
Uefa banned Barcelona fans from their Champions League away match against Red Star Belgrade at end 2024. Barca away supporters were handed an additional one-match ban after two separate incidents of racism. Their 2024 Champions League
quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain is the first incident cited, which saw Barca fans were spotted making racist gestures, including Nazi salutes.
Frankfurt supporters were banned from the second leg of their Champions League last-16 match in Naples in 2023, following
fan trouble around the first leg
in Frankfurt. Naples authority banned them from attending.
Top-flight football in Greece was played behind closed doors for two months at end 2023/early 2024, in an effort to clamp down on violence at sporting events. The Greek government took action after a police officer was severely injured in violent clashes during a
volleyball match between
Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
Legia Warsaw – UEFA Europa Conference League (2022) vs Aston Villa. Violent clashes occurred during their match at Aston Villa. Missiles and flares were thrown at police officers; over 40 people were charged. UEFA banned Legia Warsaw from having away supporters at five European matches and fined the club for damages.
Ajax Fans – UEFA Champions League vs Marseille (2022). French authorities cited a history of violent behaviour and animosity between Ajax and Marseille fans. The French Interior Ministry issued a decree banning Ajax fans from traveling to Marseille by any means—road, rail, air, or sea.