Newcastle will launch official complaint to UEFA over ‘unacceptable treatment’ of fans after Marseille defeat | OneFootball

Newcastle United will launch an official complaint to UEFA after their supporters were mistreated by French police following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Marseille. 

The Premier League club accused French police of using pepper spray, batons and shields against their fans after the final whistle at Stade Velodrome. 

Newcastle have confirmed they will formally raise their concerns with UEFA over the ‘unacceptable treatment’ of their supporters. 

A club statement read: “We will be formally raising our concerns with UEFA, Olympique de Marseille and French police in relation to the unacceptable treatment of our supporters by police at Stade Vélodrome following Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League fixture.”  

As per Newcastle, fans were kept inside the stadium for an hour in a planned move for their safety. But things apparently went awry after the first group was released, when police started attacking fans indiscriminately. 

The club said: “Once the first group of supporters was released, the police began using unnecessary and disproportionate force to stop the remainder of our fans from moving any further. This was actioned through a combination of pepper spray, batons and shields, with numerous supporters being indiscriminately assaulted by the police.” 

This is not the first instance that English fans have suffered mistreatment in France. 

Manchester United supporters were tear-gassed by Lyon police last season before their Europa League quarter-final away leg. 

Chaotic scenes were also seen at Stade de France ahead of the 2022 Champions League final, when Liverpool fans were embroiled in troubles with the Paris police. 

Newcastle consistently inconsistent

Eddie Howe’s side have been consistently inconsistent this campaign. 

The Magpies defeated Benfica, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur across three different competitions, before losing to West Ham United at the London Stadium. 

They bounced back with a 2-0 success over Athletic Club in the Champions League, but lost 3-1 at Brentford afterwards in the Premier League. 

Newcastle overcame Manchester City 2-1 on Sunday, but failed to continue their momentum at Marseille, who triumphed after a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.