Newcastle United Fans Face Police Clashes in Marseille

Newcastle United fans endured troubling scenes during their Champions League trip to Marseille, prompting the club to launch a formal complaint over what it describes as “indiscriminate assault” by local police at Stade Vélodrome.

Newcastle United Fans Report Police Assault After Champions League Match

Newcastle United fans, who traveled to France to support their team during the Champions League fixture against Marseille, found themselves at the center of a distressing post-match incident. The club alleges that police used excessive force against their supporters, employing pepper spray, batons, and shields as fans were held back in the stadium following their 2-1 defeat.

A statement released on Newcastle’s official website details the club’s outrage: “We will be formally raising our concerns with UEFA, Olympique de Marseille, and the French police in relation to the unacceptable treatment of our supporters by police at Stade Vélodrome.” According to the club, fans were required to remain in the ground for up to an hour after the final whistle to enable safe departure, with plans to escort them to the Metro station in groups. Despite showing patience and cooperation, many supporters were met with sudden and forceful police intervention.

Calls for UEFA Action Following Newcastle United Fans’ Ordeal

The actions of local authorities have spurred Newcastle United to escalate the issue. The club is calling for UEFA, Olympique de Marseille, and French police to investigate and ensure that, as they stated, “lessons are learned and this behaviour is not repeated.” Newcastle’s stewards and senior staff observed the post-match operation closely and have corroborated fan accounts of distress and, in certain areas, dangerous crowding.

Firsthand Accounts and Growing Frustration

Season ticket holder Liam Phillips shared his personal ordeal, expressing a commitment never to return to Marseille after witnessing indiscriminate police aggression. “To be cooped up from 4 pm and not return to my hotel until nearly 2 am—almost 10 hours for 90 minutes of football—felt inhumane. We were treated like criminals when, in reality, we were simply there to watch our team,” he told BBC Sport. Many echoed his sentiment, describing the atmosphere as peaceful until police intervened.

Newcastle United Calls on Fans to Provide Evidence

Seeking to strengthen their formal complaint, Newcastle United has appealed to supporters who experienced or witnessed the incident to come forward. The club requests that detailed reports be submitted by email, with all testimonies to be shared with UEFA, the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), and Football Supporters Europe.

As preparations continue for their upcoming Premier League match against Everton, the club emphasizes the importance of supporter safety and welfare, reiterating a strong condemnation of the treatment endured by their fans.

Ongoing Efforts and Commitment to Supporter Welfare

Newcastle United is also working closely with the UKFPU to collect evidence and ensure that fans’ voices are heard on an international level. The club stresses that the safety of traveling supporters is paramount and urges governing bodies to hold those responsible for the events in Marseille accountable.

Opinion: Ensuring Respect and Safety for Traveling Fans

Incidents like the one experienced by Newcastle United fans in Marseille highlight the urgent need for better coordination and respect between law enforcement and traveling supporters. The right to attend football matches in safety should not be compromised. UEFA and local authorities must work together to learn from this episode and guarantee that fans feel protected, not threatened, when following their teams abroad.

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