The National Directorate for Combating Hooliganism has designated the August 26 Groupama Stadium clash between Lyon and Fenerbahçe as a high-risk match, assigning it a level 4 out of 5 rating following a meeting at Lyon’s prefecture this Thursday afternoon.

Strict measures for Turkish fans

Turkish supporters will arrive in Lyon under controlled conditions. Of the 2,220 expected fans, 1,000 will travel from Turkey, 1,000 from the European Union, plus 200 identified individuals and 20 VIP guests. All will be directed to a dedicated section with 2,816 seats. Among these, 500 to 700 Turkish supporters are classified as high-risk profiles.

Billet management tightens

Lyon will not sell tickets at Groupama Stadium or at the Eurexpo meeting point in Chassieu on match day. Fenerbahçe will handle all ticket distribution through dedicated channels. Supporters must exchange their counter-marks for stadium entry tickets at Eurexpo, where they will gather at 6 p.m. before being transported to Groupama Stadium via 15 to 20 buses or shuttles.

OL cracks down on ticket resale

As part of its prevention efforts, Olympique Lyonnais has stepped up warnings against ticket resale. The club has already identified three groups that violated this rule and will send them formal notices suspending their season tickets without refund. Further stadium bans may follow.

Lessons learned from past incidents

Security forces plan to deploy three additional CRS companies beyond usual stadium deployments. This precaution stems from the violent clashes during Beşiktaş’s visit to Décines-Charpieu on April 13, 2017, during the Europa League quarter-final first leg. Authorities are determined to prevent a repeat of such disturbances.

Depending on the August 18 first-leg result, Lyon’s prefect could issue decrees restricting Turkish supporters or those identified as such from entering Lyon’s city center on August 26, aiming to prevent any clashes with local ultras.