Newcastle United will file a formal complaint after what they described as the “unacceptable treatment” of their supporters by French police following the Champions League defeat to Marseille at the Stade Velodrome. The club said officers used “unnecessary and disproportionate force”, including pepper spray, batons and shields, leaving several fans “indiscriminately assaulted”.
Safety Plan Breaks Down Post-Match
Travelling supporters were due to be held inside the stadium for up to an hour before being escorted in groups of 500 to the metro, which would take them back to the designated fan meeting point at Place de la Joliette. But when the first group was released, police allegedly used force to block the remaining fans from moving, leading to distress and reports of crushing in the upper concourse.
Newcastle Demand Accountability
The club said staff immediately raised concerns with police on-site but saw “limited impact” on the tactics being used. Newcastle added that they have since received “deeply concerning” witness accounts from fans. Emphasising that supporter safety must be the priority, the club said they will raise the issue with Uefa, Marseille officials and French police.
Stewards Witness Incident First-Hand
Newcastle confirmed that the post-match operation was closely observed by their stewards and senior staff, who were present throughout the incident.
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