French titans plead for peace

Tension is mounting in France ahead of Sunday's 54th 'Classique' meeting between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Olympique de Marseille.

'Not complaining'
"It's the game of the year," said Marseille's winter signing Toifilou Maoulida, who grew up in the southern city. "It's a childhood dream for me to play in such a game. I would have preferred to play my first one in Marseille but I'm not complaining. People have been ringing for days to give their support."

Massive fixture
A whole 800km may divide the only French sides to have won European trophies, but encounters between the two are always a major event in Ligue 1. However, as Marseille head north, both clubs are hoping that the action can be confined to the pitch.

Football violence
Five people were injured and a further 22 arrested last weekend after rival gangs of PSG fans fought at a motorway service station following their 0-0 draw at FC Nantes Atlantique. Concerns over further violence persuaded the league to shift Sunday's kick-off time from 21.00CET to 17.00CET.

Police presence
"Our duty, considering those violent gangs who cannot be called fans, is to ease the police's job," said Frédéric Thiriez, president of the French Professional League. "It's in the interest of our real supporters." The presence of 1,200 police at the Parc des Princes may focus would-be troublemakers' minds.

Blayau concerned
"Rivalry between two sides, whatever their issues, must remain in the sporting domain," said PSG president Pierre Blayau. "But for 20 years, PSG-OM and OM-PSG has been a symbol of division, a long, long way from the kind of enjoyment and spirit of exchange football should promote."

Pre-match entertainment
In order to cool the atmosphere among the supporters, part of the pre-match entertainment will see children from Marseille and Paris - France's two largest cities - singing a song promoting tolerance to the tune of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.

European position
From then on, the focus should be on the game, which could prove a vital one for both teams. With only a top-four finish guaranteeing a UEFA Cup spot, fifth-placed Marseille and eighth-placed PSG need to keep their momentum going, and PSG could leapfrog their opponents with a victory.

Lacombe committed
"It will be like a European game," said PSG coach Guy Lacombe. "But we'll do everything we can to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and make sure football is the winner at the end of the day."