Due to fan
violence, UEFA has ordered Marseille to close half of their stadium for the
home leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final against Feyenoord.

The
governing body for European football launched an investigation after the first
leg of Marseille’s quarter-final against the Greek club PAOK was marred by
nasty fights between supporters.

Incidents
occurred outside the Velodrome prior to kickoff, with problems continuing
inside the stadium. Thirteen people were arrested and detained in connection
with incidents before and during the match on Thursday, according to the
Marseille public prosecutor’s office on Friday.

Also read: Barcelona reach Europa League quarters, Sevilla knocked out by West Ham

Marseille was
fined a total of 98,000 euros for lighting fireworks, throwing objects, and
obstructing passageways, in addition to the closure of the club’s Virage Nord. PAOK
was fined 50,000 euros for similar offences and is required to contact
Marseille within 30 days to compensate damage committed by their fans.

PAOK were in
fantastic form, overpowered their French opponents, and squandered a slew of
good chances. However, they never gave up and kept striving, despite the fact
that they would not be able to celebrate what would have been a historic
qualifying. Marseille had only had two chances during the entire 90-minute
period.

PAOK, on the
other hand, had 16 shots on goal, squandered some amazing opportunities, and
saw visiting ‘keeper Mandanda put up one of his best performances of his career
to earn his team a spot in the semi-finals. Before the ball was kicked, the
game got off to a bad start. Omar El Kaddouri pulled a muscle during the
warm-up, and Charis Tsingaras took his spot in the starting XI, causing Razvan
Lucescu to change his preparations.

PAOK’s El
Kaddouri equalised early in the second half, leaving the tie in doubt ahead of
the return game, while Gerson was sent off in injury time. Dimitri Payet, a former West Ham player, turned back the years in a goal of the season contender for Marseille.

Marseille
will travel to Feyenoord for the opening leg of their semi-final encounter on
April 28 before hosting the Dutch club a week later.