November 17 – French football authorities have ordered Marseille to play one home match behind closed doors as a result of crowd trouble in last month’s game against bitter rivals Paris St. Germain.
The clash on October 24 ended in a 0-0 draw but was held up on more than one occasion as objects were thrown from the stands. In one incident a fan invaded the pitch and tried to approach Lionel Messi.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli had feared a far harsher sanction but the club have been let off lightly.
Twenty-one people were arrested and 17 taken into custody, charged with damage, possession of rockets, and violence or insult or resisting police officers following further incidents outside the Velodrome. Six received sentences ranging up to two years in jail.
Marseille had already been punished twice this season by league officials for incidents during matches at Nice and Angers.
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