Galatasaray has requested guarantees from UEFA regarding the safety of its delegation and supporters in northern France ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against LOSC Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, according to DHA.

The Turkish club’s security request follows widespread violence and looting across France during the weekend of October 17 and 18. Incidents in Lille included an intrusion into the city’s town hall and the ransacking of the LOSC club store. Despite the unrest occurring just three days before kickoff, Galatasaray has not asked for a postponement of the match or a change of venue, as reported by the Turkish news agency DHA.

Security Measures and Travel Restrictions at Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Local authorities in northern France had already established a security framework before the weekend disturbances. The Préfecture du Nord issued an administrative order specifically governing attendance at the stadium. Under the directive, access to the venue and its surrounding perimeters is strictly prohibited for anyone identifying as a Galatasaray supporter or sympathizer outside of the designated visitor zone. LOSC outlined these restrictions in an official club statement issued on October 13.

The leadership in Istanbul remains particularly concerned about the safety of players, coaching staff, and traveling fans due to the property damage recorded in Lille. In response, Galatasaray asked European football’s governing body to ensure reinforced protection measures are active around the stadium and during fan transits.

Interior Minister Rejects Match Postponements

French Minister of the Interior Laurent Nuñez addressed the security climate on Monday, confirming that upcoming European fixtures will proceed as scheduled. Nuñez explicitly ruled out any rescheduling of Champions League matches, which include both Lille’s home fixture and Paris Saint-Germain’s match against FC Barcelona.

While domestic law enforcement agencies face heavy mobilization to manage ongoing civil unrest and retail pillaging across the country, the Interior Ministry insisted that the matches are not called into question. The scheduled kickoff time for LOSC Lille versus Galatasaray stands at 6:45 p.m. local time on Wednesday, October 21.