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Newcastle United have issued a strongly worded statement condemning the “unnecessary and disproportionate force” used by French police against travelling supporters following Tuesday’s Champions League match against Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome.
According to the club, visiting fans were ordered by local authorities to remain inside the stadium for up to an hour after the final whistle as part of a post-match safety operation. Supporters were due to be escorted in groups of 500 to a nearby Metro station for onward travel to Place de la Joliette.
The club said its fans waited “patiently and without incident” during the holdback period despite the defeat on the pitch, with senior staff and stewards closely monitoring the operation.
However, the situation changed dramatically once the first group of supporters was allowed to leave. Newcastle allege that police then began using pepper spray, batons and shields to prevent the remaining fans from moving, resulting in “indiscriminate” assaults on supporters.
The club reported scenes of distress, particularly in the upper concourse of the away sector, where crushing was said to have become apparent. Attempts by Newcastle staff to intervene with police were described as having “limited impact”.
Supporters leaving the stadium shared accounts of the incident with club officials, and Newcastle say they have since received “deeply concerning witness reports”.
“Supporter safety and welfare should always be of paramount importance, and we strongly condemn the treatment of our supporters by the police during this incident,” the statement read.
Newcastle have confirmed they will raise the matter formally with UEFA, Marseille and the French authorities, calling for a full investigation to ensure “lessons are learned” and that such behaviour “is not repeated”.
The club is also in contact with the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) as it gathers evidence on behalf of those affected.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / César O'neill, Pixabay / jorono
