Ask Onix
Newcastle United to file complaint over police conduct toward fans in Marseille
Newcastle United announced plans to lodge a formal complaint after supporters faced what the club described as "indiscriminate assaults by police" following their 2-1 Champions League loss to Marseille on Tuesday. The English side condemned the use of "unnecessary and disproportionate force," including pepper spray, batons, and shields, by French officers during post-match crowd control.
Club condemns "unacceptable" police tactics
The incident unfolded as fans, held inside Stade Velodrome for up to an hour for safety reasons, were released in groups of 500 for escorted transit to the metro. According to Newcastle, officers escalated force against supporters still inside the stadium, triggering distress and crushing in the away section's upper concourse. Club staff intervened but reported limited impact on police behavior.
"Supporter safety must always be the priority," the club stated, calling the treatment "unacceptable." Witness accounts described fans-including women and elderly attendees-being struck by batons and subjected to tear gas despite no reports of aggression from the crowd.
"We were treated like criminals. There was no trouble-just families and fans trying to leave."
Liam Phillips, Newcastle season-ticket holder
Fan accounts detail chaotic conditions
Liam Phillips, 42, a season-ticket holder, vowed never to return to France after enduring nearly 10 hours of confinement for a 90-minute match. He recounted seeing officers "whack people indiscriminately" as fans were pushed toward police lines. Darren Curry, co-founder of the Newcastle Supporters Club, reported overflowing toilets forcing fans to stand in urine, while his partner was forcibly removed by police during the surge.
"It's lucky no one was seriously hurt," Curry said, criticizing the "kettling" tactic as dangerous in the crowded concourse.
Contradictory responses from Marseille authorities
Marseille police acknowledged "very limited use of tear gas" during a crowd surge but denied broader allegations of excessive force. In a statement, they claimed only 20 fans experienced "momentary discomfort" and that no injuries or complaints were filed. The club echoed Uefa's debrief, asserting protocols were followed and that toilet vandalism-not systemic failure-caused overflows.
Meanwhile, the Football Supporters' Association demanded Marseille and local authorities "drastically improve" treatment of away fans, praising Newcastle's stance. The incident reignites concerns over France's matchday policing, already scrutinized after the 2022 Champions League final chaos in Paris, where Liverpool fans faced similar tactics.
"France's police practices risk lives. Without political pressure, nothing changes."
Ronan Evain, Football Supporters Europe
Broader calls for Uefa intervention
Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, labeled the issue "systemic," citing repeated incidents involving English clubs (Manchester United in Lyon, Tottenham in Paris). He urged Uefa to consider relocating matches from France if safety standards aren't met, noting the country's bids to host multiple European finals.
"An independent report called the 2022 final a near-'mass fatality catastrophe,' yet no reforms followed," Evain said. "Newcastle's statement helps, but diplomatic action between the UK and France is overdue."
Next steps
Newcastle's complaint will target Uefa, Marseille, and French police. Uefa has not yet commented publicly. The club's move follows similar grievances from Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham fans over policing at French fixtures this season.
