The evening was beautiful on Tuesday in Marseille, with a victory over Newcastle in the Champions League in the freezing mistral capable of warming hearts (2-1). On the English side, obviously, the point of view is different. Especially since the post-match was apparently eventful for the nearly 3,500 Magpies supporters who made the trip.
Brightly relayed by the British press this Thursday, Newcastle strongly condemns the violence observed at the end of the match, while the English fans left the VĂ©lodrome enclosure. No clashes between supporters, no, but brutality on the part of the police denounced.
“ After the final whistle, our supporters were required to remain in the stadium, on instructions from local authorities, to ensure their safety when leaving. It was planned to move 500 fans at a time, under police escort. Despite the disappointing result, our supporters kept their spirits up and waited patiently and without incident during the hold period. The post-match operation was closely observed by our stewards and support staff. Once the first group of fans were freed, the police used excessive and disproportionate force to prevent the rest of our fans from progressing. She notably used pepper spray, batons and shields, and many supporters were attacked indiscriminately by the police. », Assures the NUFC in a press release.
The police headquarters responds
Surveyed by the Telegraph, concerned supporters believe they have been treated “ like animals “. Newcastle is therefore demanding accountability – and investigations – from UEFA, OM and the local authorities. This for “ the unacceptable treatment inflicted on (his) supporters by the police at the Stade VĂ©lodrome after the Champions League match on Tuesday “. The day before the match, on Monday evening, clashes between supporters of the two camps broke out in the city center of the Marseille city.
Considered a high-risk meeting, this poster between OM and Newcastle justified the mobilization of 1,000 police officers by the Bouches-du-RhĂ´ne prefecture. This Thursday evening, the latter responded to Newcastle: “ The police had a benevolent attitude throughout the operation. At a specific moment, at the end of the system, in the visitors’ sector, a crowd movement required an intervention by the CRS and one of them very occasionally used a gas which inconvenienced around twenty supporters for a few minutes. Apart from this event, there was no use of force and the operation went well. No injuries and no complaints reported following this event. No club mail. »
