The turmoil caused by the acts of violence in the UEFA Europa Conference League encounter between Nice and Köln that ended in a 1-1 scoreline on September 8—has put the German authorities on high alert ahead of the return leg, with Cologne hosting the Ligue 1 club in their final group-stage match of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League season on Thursday evening.
According to a report from L’Équipe, 600 Nice supporters are expected to be present in the German city for the European clash.
In an email sent to the travelling supporters, fans have been clearly advised not to cause havoc in Germany. Otherwise, they would face severe consequences. “Scenes of violence like those in Nice must not happen again in Cologne,” reads the statement from the German authorities.
Devices will be deployed around the city to monitor the situation, and 1,200 police officers will also be involved so that any sign of violence could be uprooted before it spreads widely. Nice’s Ultras Populaire Sud should be escorted under the supervision of the local police, while other Nice fans will arrive at the stadium by train or by car.
GFFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
