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Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu will play in front of a hostile crowd this weekend after French authorities banned Reims fans from attending their team’s clash away to Nice.
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu will play in front of a partisan crowd after the French government banned Stade de Reims’ fans from attending the team’s Ligue 1 clash away to OGC Nice on Sunday.
Authorities in France have banned away fans from attending four matches, including two in the top-tier of the French league this weekend, after classifying them as ‘high risk’ following the death of a supporter in Nantes last weekend.
Lyon fans were not allowed to attend Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Marseille and Lens supporters were banned from travelling to Friday’s match in Montpellier with Reims' supporters also barred from travelling to the Riviera for the clash with Nice on Sunday.
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14:36 - 08.12.2023
STARS ABROAD Al Duhail provide injury update about Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga
Olunga came off the bench to score a goal against Persepolis but had to be substituted again during stoppage time.
Matches involving Auxerre and Bordeaux in the second division will also be played without away supporters.
Reims confirmed the development to their fans, telling them that they will get a refund for tickets purchased ahead of Sunday’s match.
“Stade de Reims has therefore closed the sale of tickets in the visitors’ sector for this match, and will automatically refund all Reims fans who had already booked their tickets,” the club said via a statement.
France Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said this week that preventing supporters from traveling to rival clubs could help to restore calm following a series of incidents this season.
In France, traveling fans are regularly banned from high-risk games such as those pitting together bitter rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. But Oudea-Castera suggested the measure could be used more often.
The bans have, however, not gone down well with the supporters with an umbrella organisation for fan groups taking legal action.
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12:19 - 09.12.2023
STARS ABROAD Eric Johana’s first 90-minute appearance for Romanian club ends in defeat
Harambee Stars midfielder Eric Johana had a decent individual performance in his first 90-minute game for Romanian side UTA Arad but could not help them avoid defeat to Politehnica
The National Supporters’ Association said Friday it has referred the matter to France’s highest administrative court as it sought to challenge bans targeting the four matches.
Reims face a big test against second-placed Nice who are looking to bounce back from last week’s 1-0 defeat to Nantes but Will Still’s men will be encouraged by their recent good record which has seen them win their last two games on the trot.
Okumu, who had an impressive game in a three-man defence as his side recorded a 2-1 win over Strasbourg last week, will likely start again with sixth-placed Reims seeking to close in on the top four.
19:40 - 06.12.2023
FOOTBALL Joseph Okumu’s Reims coach on the radar of English Championship side
Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu could soon be working under a new coach if the English Championship side manage entice his current tactician Will Still from Reims
The Kenyan defender was rated Reims’ second-best player last weekend with only Danish forward Mohamed Daramy getting a higher rating after his goal and assist.
Follow Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more news.
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