This week, Liverpool fans will travel over to France to see their team take on Marseille in the UEFA Champions League. The match is a big one in terms of qualification for the knockout stages of the competition, and while Liverpool have sold out their allocation of 3,368 tickets, is Marseille a safe place to travel to?
The answer to that question largely depends on who you listen to. However, given the strict rules that are going to be in place for Liverpool fans and the previous experiences of other English supporters, it's fair to say that there is an element of risk on this European away trip.
Is Marseille safe for away fans? Recent evidence says no
You don't have to go too far back for evidence to suggest that this isn't a trip for the faint-hearted. Newcastle fans visited Marseille back at the end of Novemeber and their fans were involved in several altercations and not just with Marseille fans.
The club lodged an official complaint to UEFA after the match due to reports of the local police being overly aggressive with Newcastle supporters. There were incidents of pepper spray, batons and shields being used unnecessarily before, during and after the match.
Perhaps the most infamous incident of football violence in Marseille was back in 2016 when Russia and England fans were involved in a mass brawl during Euro 2016. Although this can't be pinned on Marseille fans, it has contributed to the reputation that the city has built up.
Good luck to the Liverpool fans in Marseille this week, worst place I have ever been to for football 😅
— Adam Pearson (YT) ⚫️⚪️ (@AdamP1242) January 19, 2026
Written in the stars for Newcastle United to draw Marseille again in the knock out phase of the Champions League #NUFC
pic.twitter.com/pKAkOt63SG
Liverpool fans under strict rules ahead of visit
Liverpool fans have been given a set of strict rules to follow for their upcoming trip to Marseille, something that also tells you that this isn't the safest place in the world to visit as a football fan.
For starters, they have been told not to wear anything that identifies them as Liverpool supporters and not, under any circumstances, drape Liverpool flags over public spaces.
Secondly, they have been told to avoid a specific area of Marseille – Old Port (Vieux Port) – as this is where Marseille ultras often congregate on matchday. Instead, Liverpool fans have been urged to stay in and around the official fan meeting point in Place de la Joliette.
Finally, Liverpool fans have been told that the only way they should travel to the game is via the nearest metro station to Place de la Joliette. The local police plan to round Liverpool fans up in groups of around 500 and then escort them to the ground on the metro.
FGG says: Better to be safe than sorry
It is a shame that there are still places like Marseille in the modern game, but there is a high chance that the rules being enforced on visiting supporters are overly strict. However, the local authorities are likely taking a safety-first approach, which is hard to argue against, considering what is possible if things do go south.