Diehard Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse fans say they will boycott the French Super Cup final between the teams over the decision to hold the showdown at the Parc des Princes – PSG's home ground – as well as ticket prices.
The clash between the previous season's Ligue 1 winners and the victors in the Coupe de France has taken place in its present Trophée des Champions guise since 1995 when cup winners PSG beat Nantes on penalties in front of 12,000 spectators at the Stade Francis-Le-Blé in Brest.
Over the past 13 years, the Ligue de Football Professionnel – which organises the match – has taken the game abroad.
In 2009, the final between champions Bordeaux and Guingamp was played at the Stade Olympique in Montreal. Subsequent fixtures have been played in Tunisia, Morocco, the United States, China, Austria and Gabon.
In 2022, Ligue 1 champions PSG boasting Lionel Messi and Neymar crushed Nantes 4-0 at the Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv to hoist the trophy for a record-extending 11th time.
But after the LFP announced that the match for the 2023 Trophée des Champions would be played on 3 January at the Parc des Prince, Toulouse ultras were furious.
"How is it possible to claim to respect sporting fairness by choosing the PSG stadium to host the match and this with knowledge of the two teams having to compete for the trophy?" said a statement issued by the NVDRS.
The communique, which has the backing of another Toulouse fans group Tolosa Indians, added: "Once again, the French authorities do not deprive themselves of any opportunity to point out their incompetence in organisational matters."
— NVDRS (@NVDRS1993) December 18, 2023
Toulouse pulverized the 2022 winners Nantes 5-1 to claim the Coupe de France for the first time since 1957. It was the most comprehensive victory in a Coupe de France final since 1970 when Saint-Etienne annihilated Nantes 5-0.
But despite the chance to see their side vye for their first Trophée des Champions, the hardcore groups have called for supporters to stay local and watch the match in one of the city centre squares.
"We will not participate in this charade!” added the statement.
PSG's Collectif Ultras Paris (Cup) urged their members to snub the game over the cost of tickets.
On the PSG website on Thursday, Category 7 tickets - the cheapest – were available for 45 euros. Category 1 seats were on offer for 120 euros.
Highlighting that some places were available for the Champions League clash at Dortmund on 13 December for less than 20 euros, the Cup said the pricing was contrary to its values and the defence of popular football.
The group said it was also boycotting the event to protest against the move to stage Trophée des Champions finals abroad.
"We plan to offer a lifeless stadium which should remind the LFP of previous finals in China, the United States, or elsewhere,” the Cup added.
