Tonight, Paris Saint-Germain will face off against LOSC at the Parc des Princes in the 18th round of Ligue 1. However, hours before the match begins, the Lille club has released a scathing press release. “On the occasion of the Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain and LOSC, scheduled for this Friday, January 16, 2026, at 9:00 PM, LOSC has noted and regrets the absence of a significant portion of its fan base in the stands at the Parc des Princes. Earlier this week, the club was informed by the police prefecture that the number of supporters allowed to travel would be limited to 500, a figure far below the actual capacity of the visitors’ section at the Parc des Princes and the provisions set by the LFP regulations. Furthermore, the concerned supporters were required to be escorted by law enforcement to the Paris venue as part of an organized trip via collective transport.”
The northern club continued, expressing its frustration: “In light of these decisions that effectively deprive many Lille supporters of the opportunity to attend one of the key matches in our league, the majority of our supporters’ associations have informed the club of their decision to boycott this trip. LOSC regrets these excessive security measures and laments that its players will be without the support of their loyal fans for this encounter. The club also reminds that a thousand Parisian supporters were able to make the reverse trip during the reception of Paris Saint-Germain in early October, without compromising public safety or resulting in any notable incidents.” The message has been delivered clearly.
While this situation is disappointing for both the club and its fans, it highlights ongoing concerns regarding fan participation and safety regulations in football. It is hoped that resolutions can be found in the future to ensure supporters can enjoy matches together, fostering a stronger connection between clubs and their dedicated fan bases.