A week after the Lyon team bus was attacked with stones in Marseille, the French government have banned Lille fans from travelling to the southern city for a Ligue 1 match this weekend.

Lille president Olivier Letang wrote to the public authorities for assurances before agreeing to travel following last week's incidents which left Lyon coach Fabio Grosso with cuts to his face that required stitches.

Only 250 Lille fans had planned to travel to Marseille.

"We are very surprised by the decision taken by the interior ministry, it's the first we have head of it," Lille said in a statement.

Lille coach Paulo Fonseca said the decision was sad.

"There's something political about it, we won't have our supporters with us and that's a shame," said Fonseca.

Marseille, who are ninth in Ligue 1 after just one win in their last six outings, have already met with considerable off-pitch turbulence this season.

"That was a defeat for all of us, for my team and for Lyon. It's a defeat for football," Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso said of last weekend's abandoned match.

Lille are on the rise and sit fourth in Ligue 1, with three wins in their last four, including an impressive 2-0 victory last weekend against recent table-toppers Monaco.