Newcastle To Lodge Uefa Complaint Over ‘unacceptable Treatment’ Of Fans At Marseille Game

Newcastle are to kick complete nan “unacceptable treatment” their fans endured aft Tuesday’s 2-1 conclusion astatine Marseille successful nan Champions League. The Premier League nine accused French constabulary of utilizing capsicum spray, batons and shields to subdue supporters successful nan aftermath of Tuesday night’s nonaccomplishment astatine Stade Vélodrome.

A nine connection said: “We will beryllium formally raising our concerns pinch Uefa, Olympique de Marseille and French constabulary successful narration to nan unacceptable curen of our supporters by constabulary astatine Stade Vélodrome pursuing Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture.”

According to Newcastle, travelling fans were kept wrong nan stadium for an hr successful a planned move for their safety, pinch groups of 500 past escorted to nan metro to spell to nan supporters’ gathering point. However, that is erstwhile plans apparently went awry, pinch nan post-match cognition witnessed astatine adjacent quarters by Newcastle’s stewards and elder staff.

Newcastle’s connection said: “Once nan first group of supporters was released, nan constabulary began utilizing unnecessary and disproportionate unit to extremity nan remainder of our fans from moving immoderate further. This was actioned done a operation of capsicum spray, batons and shields, pinch galore supporters being indiscriminately assaulted by nan police.

“Many supporters were visibly distressed, peculiarly successful nan precocious concourse area of nan distant sector, wherever crushing became apparent. Our unit instantly addressed nan matter pinch nan police, nevertheless this had constricted effect connected their excessive tactics.

“Fans leaving nan stadium rightly shared their distress, vexation and anger pinch our staff, and we person subsequently received profoundly concerning witnesser reports from supporters who were successful attendance. Supporter information and use should ever beryllium of paramount importance, and we powerfully condemn nan curen of our supporters by nan constabulary during this incident.”

Newcastle opportunity they will interaction nan applicable bodies for an investigation into what happened “to guarantee lessons are learned and this behaviour is not repeated” and person called connected supporters to stock their position of nan experience.