The club has issued a statement condemning the ‘disproportionate and unnecessary force’, including batons and pepper spray, used against their travelling supporters following the Champions League clash with Olympique Marseille.
HNewcastle United have announced they will submit a formal complaint to UEFA after what they described as the “unacceptable treatment” of their supporters during Tuesday’s Champions League match in Marseille.
In a statement, the club explained that travelling fans were kept inside the stadium for up to an hour after the final whistle of their defeat to Olympique Marseille, as part of a safety protocol for their departure. Police had planned to escort groups of 500 fans at a time to a nearby metro station. According to Newcastle, their supporters “remained in good spirits despite the disappointing result” and waited “patiently and without incident.”
However, the club said that once the first group had been released, police began using unnecessary and disproportionate force to stop the remaining fans from moving. Officers allegedly deployed pepper spray, batons and shields, with many supporters assaulted indiscriminately.
“Many fans were visibly distressed, particularly in the upper tier of the away section where the problem began. Our staff immediately raised the issue with the police, but this had little effect. Supporters leaving the stadium shared their distress, frustration and anger with our representatives, and we have since received deeply troubling accounts from those in attendance. The safety and well-being of our fans must always come first. We condemn the treatment they received from the police,” the statement continued.
Newcastle confirmed they will now engage with UEFA, Olympique Marseille and local authorities to formally investigate the incident, ensure accountability, and prevent anything similar from happening again.