On the eve of their Champions League trip to “PSG,” “Bayern” publicly opposed the last-minute restrictions imposed on supporters in Paris and said it had already appealed to UEFA. The catalyst was an order from the Paris police prefecture, published on Monday afternoon: at the last moment the document rewrites the arrival protocol for visitors to Parc des Princes and introduces additional control procedures.
A Match Entangled in Bureaucracy
On Tuesday the Munich side play away on matchday four of the current Champions League campaign. In a normal situation this would be a routine matter of organizing the away section, but this time the sporting agenda has been overshadowed by logistics: the rules for accessing the stadium and for supporter movements were rewritten literally a day before the match.
The Order in Brief: Paid Parking and Public Transport
The key points of the directive apply to all organized trips. Fan buses must gather at a paid parking area outside the city. From there, the only way to reach the arena is by public transport, and after the final whistle they must return the same way to their vehicles. After that, the convoy of buses is to leave Paris under police escort. For individual “Bayern” supporters the same route is prescribed: no shuttles, only the city network.
Why Munich Calls the Measure Ill-Timed
In “Bayern’s” statement the club stresses it learned about the new conditions unexpectedly and late, even though all key organizational details of the trip had been publicly available for weeks. In the club’s view, the risk profile for supporters has not changed compared with the last game in Paris in 2023, so such an abrupt revision of the rules appears unjustified. A particularly painful point is the “notification window”: when preparing mass away trips, flexibility is extremely limited, and any sudden redirection of routes creates extra costs and confusion.
UEFA Informed, “PSG” on the Visitors’ Side
The club said it raised the issue at a UEFA meeting and intends to pursue further legal steps. Notably, “PSG” supported the Munich side’s position: as the match host, the Paris club is also interested in clear, pre-agreed regulations so as not to jeopardize attendance and safety. The hosts’ support adds weight to “Bayern’s” claim in the eyes of the regulator.
Away Logistics: A Long Night and a Police Escort
Another problem “Bayern” highlights is the post-match timeline. Under the formal requirements, fan buses are not expected to be able to leave Paris until the early morning — roughly around 5:00. That means a long night of waiting in the car park, transfers and back-and-forth movements across the city, which creates additional risks of fatigue and growing queues for organized groups. A police escort on departure should reduce the likelihood of incidents, but it does not solve the late-night logistics problem.
What Is at Stake for Fans and the Competition
This episode in Paris is not only a dispute over routes. It is a test of the Champions League’s regulatory predictability and the balance between safety and accessibility for away supporters. “Bayern” is seeking clear rules published well in advance, so organizers and fans can plan their travel without force-majeure surprises. Whatever decision UEFA makes will signal to all participants whether radical last-minute changes are acceptable, or whether match staging and fan-logistics standards should be shielded from such surprises. For now, clubs and thousands of supporters are waiting for clarity — preferably before the ball is put into play at Parc des Princes.
