Lens punishes fans for Lille derby after Bruges incidents

Lens bans away fans from Friday's derby at Lille after 132 flares were set off during Champions League match in Bruges on October 21.

RC Lens has announced it will not sell tickets to away supporters for Friday's Ligue 1 derby against Lille at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, punishing its own fanbase for misconduct during a Champions League fixture.

The ban follows incidents in Bruges on October 21, when Lens supporters collectively set off 132 flares during the third round of the Champions League, despite the club operating under a conditional suspension that put all fans at risk of further sanctions. The club also reported dangerous pyrotechnics, projectiles thrown at the pitch and spectators, including disabled supporters.

Lens stated the line had been crossed after explicit agreements made with supporter groups last season following previous incidents in Metz, Lille, London and Reims. The club said it was implementing the measure to "punish and prevent" future breaches. UEFA separately banned Lens from selling tickets to supporters for their next two Champions League matches against Leipzig and Liverpool.