The Mayor of Nice has asked fans of Swiss side FC Basel not to make the trip to the Riviera city when they come up against Les Aiglons in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Nice face Basel in the first leg of their Conference League tie on Thursday, before welcoming the Swiss side to the Allianz Riviera a week later. However, Estrosi is already worried about misbehaviour.
There has already been violence at Nice’s home stadium during this Europa Conference League campaign. The kick-off of Nice’s match against FC Köln was delayed after fights broke out between the opposing sets of fans. Some supporters involved in the violence were hospitalised, with the game almost cancelled.
Basel fans have also been involved in violence during another visit to France. They were involved in a brawl last year during Basel’s Conference League round of 16 clash against Olympique de Marseille.
Estrosi has therefore taken to Twitter to discourage Basel fans from making the trip to Nice later this month. “I can only express my concern about the upcoming arrival of hundreds of Swiss fans in the streets of Nice. It is out of the question to witness more misbehaviour. I ask the Swiss fans not to make the trip. I call on the national and sporting authorities to be responsible and to take decisions that will allow the match to take place in the best conditions. I call on the state to take all necessary measures to put an end to the public disturbances that systematically accompany these supporters’ visits,” said the Mayor of Nice in an online plea.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
