RC Lens have taken the unusual step of banning their own supporters from Friday's Lille derby, punishing them for lighting and throwing pyrotechnics during a Champions League match at Club Brugge. The French club confirmed the decision on Wednesday, saying it had informed all supporters' groups on Monday that it would not open the away section in Lille. Lens described the behaviour in Bruges as involving “dangerous and hostile pyrotechnics” and said that “a red line has been crossed”.

UEFA punishment already in place

The club's decision follows action from UEFA. Its appeals body on Tuesday ordered Lens not to sell tickets to their supporters for the next two Champions League away matches, against RB Leipzig on 24 November and Liverpool at Anfield on 27 January. Lens were also fined €80,000 for the lighting and throwing of pyrotechnics and acts of damage. The incidents took place during Lens's 3-0 defeat at Club Brugge on Champions League matchday three, when the match was briefly halted. Lens were already on probation after pyrotechnic incidents during their opening away win at Slavia Prague in September, which made a tougher sanction almost inevitable once the Bruges trouble followed.

A derby without its away end

French authorities have also banned Lens fans from travelling to Lille for the northern derby, between cities only about 17 miles apart. Lens said the decision was intended to punish and prevent further trouble, and acknowledged it would disappoint most supporters who had done nothing wrong. Lens head into the derby seventh in Ligue 1, with Lille third, so Friday's match carries real weight. It will now be played without the travelling support that usually gives the fixture much of its colour.

Sources: Reuters, Get French Football News.