Bastia vs Lens preveiw - Supporter ban enrages Bastia

Bastia have expressed their disappointment after Lens fans were banned from attending Saturday's Ligue 1 encounter at the Stade Armand Cesari following the violence that marred the Corsican side's home match on the opening day of the season.

Forty-four police officers were injured as violence erupted during the 3-3 draw against Marseille on August 9 and interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve has responded by preventing Lens fans from travelling to see their side in action this weekend.

An unnamed Bastia fan has been jailed and handed a three-year stadium ban for his part in last month's violence and four others have received suspended prison sentences, but Bastia believe the government's decision to forbid away support is unfair.

A statement on their website said: "It is with dismay and anger that Sporting Club Bastia became aware of interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve's order to prohibit the movement of RC Lens supporters.

"Several shortcuts have been made to justify this act which is seriously defamatory towards our supporters, who are not only considered as a whole, but are accused of actions that are false and deliberately exaggerated."

The club added: "We totally refute the allegations that present our club, our fans and our stadium as havens of ultra violence."

There was at least some good news for Bastia head coach Claude Makelele on Friday.

The former Paris St Germain assistant manager will be able to name El Hadji Ba in his squad for the clash against Antoine Kombouare's side, despite his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on PSG midfielder Thiago Motta earlier in the season.

Ba caught Motta's right leg with a rash challenge in the first half of their league game at the Parc des Princes on August 16 and will now miss Bastia's game against Metz next Saturday, meaning he is available for this weekend's encounter.

Bastia have five points from their first four games of the new Ligue 1 season after drawing 1-1 at Bordeaux in their last league game before the international break.

Lens, meanwhile, sit two places and a point above their opponents after beating Reims 4-2 last time out.