Colin Abgrall 4:01 p.m., March 17, 2022

60,000 Marseilles are expected at the Vélodrome stadium for the Sunday evening match in Ligue 1, the clash Olympique de Marseille - OGC Nice.

Lots of OM supporters, however no Nice people will be celebrating, as agreed by a prefectural decree put in place on Wednesday.

Exclusively for Europe 1, at the microphone of the editorialist Jacques Vendroux, the president of Nice Jean-Pierre Rivère reacts to this decision and intends to try to "find solutions."

EXCLUSIVE

It's a final-like match for second place in the French championship.

Ten days from the end, the two teams are in perfect equality, with 50 points.

A more than decisive meeting for the podium and in the race for the qualifying place in the Champions League, without forgetting that teams like Rennes and Strasbourg are in ambush.

For this clash, only OM supporters will take place in the Vélodrome, those of Nice having been banned from moving by the Bouches-du-Rhône police headquarters to avoid any risk of overflow.

The president of Nice, Jean-Pierre Rivère, "understands the position of the prefecture."

"They need to live those moments."

The prefectural decision is rather logical.

Remember, during the 3rd day of the championship, on August 22nd.

OM player Dimitri Payet was hit in the head by a bottle and he responded by sending the same bottle back into the stands of the Allianz Riviera.

Determined to do battle with the Marseille players, the Nice supporters then invaded the field in what will remain one of the saddest scenes in the French championship.

The match was canceled and then postponed.

So, for the return match, OGC Nice fans will not be able to move.

A decision to which Jean-Pierre Rivère, president of the Riviera club reacts exclusively: "We would have liked them to participate in this party. I can understand the authorities on certain aspects but it is true that it

is a bit frustrating." he admits. "Whether it's a wise solution, I understand.

I understand the position of the prefecture.

It's a shame that we can't travel with supporters, whether from Nice or elsewhere.

We see more and more bans.

We will have to find solutions to allow everyone to experience the celebration of football, whether at home or away.”

60,000 people expected at the Velodrome

This decision nevertheless benefits Olympique de Marseille.

The Marseille club has obtained the agreement of the Professional Football League to sell the places normally occupied by opposing supporters, which will allow the velodrome stadium to accommodate 60,000 fans.

The biggest attendance of the season for, perhaps, the most important match of their season.