Paris Saint-Germain have received an unexpected boost in their quest to reintegrate their estranged ultras to the Parc des Princes crowd in order to improve the home match atmosphere.
The French champions' chairman and CEO, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, met with Parisian police chief Michel Cadot on Thursday morning to discuss the potential return of some of the club's most vociferous supporters to their spiritual home.
Encore du travail à effectuer mais nous sommes sur la bonne voie ! pic.twitter.com/kR4aGLT4gE
- CollectifUltrasParis (@Collectif_U_P) September 29, 2016
The Frenchman appeared receptive towards the idea of the ultras being allowed to attend home games once more -- provided that PSG sell the tickets on an individual basis.
"The Parisian Police Prefecture has noted PSG's willingness to welcome the ultra fans of the club back to the stands through the individual sale of tickets," L'Equipe quoted Cadot saying. "In the case of any recorded incidents, the Parisian Police will continue to oppose the presence of the ultras at Parc des Princes."
PSG have been trying to obtain approval to bring the ultras back to Parc des Princes for some time and the club's leaders recently met with the Paris ultras' Collective (CUP) and Association de Defense et d'Assistance Juridique des Interets des Supporters (ADAJIS) to discuss a potential return.
The discussions between the three parties reportedly went well and Les Parisiens' positive meeting with the Parisian police represents another step forward.
Recently, influential PSG midfielder and France international Blaise Matuidi stated his desire to see the ultras return.
According to L'Equipe, the Ligue 1 giants are already considering regrouping former ultras who currently hold season tickets to create the nucleus of the atmosphere inside Parc des Princes. Other ultra fans who wish to return will be considered on a strict case-by-case basis.
Le Parisien report as many as 100-150 ultras could be allowed in to the Auteuil end of the stadium for Saturday's Ligue 1 clash at home to Girondins de Bordeaux.