Newcastle United have announced plans to raise their concerns with UEFA over the “unacceptable treatment” their fans have received at the hands of French police.
The complaint of abuse came after their team’s defeat to Marseille at Stade Velodrome.
According to the club, police authorities used disproportionate and unnecessary force against their supporters, leaving them in trouble for the unrestricted use of force after Tuesday’s Champions League match.
Regarding the recent incident, Newcastle issued a statement condemning the abuse: “We will formally raise our concerns with UEFA, Olympique de Marseille and the French police regarding the unacceptable treatment of our supporters by police at the Stade Vélodrome following Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match.”
“Once the first group of supporters were released, police began using unnecessary and disproportionate force to prevent the rest of our fans from moving on,” the statement said.
Brutal use of force, characterized by batons, pepper spray and shields, was deployed indiscriminately by Marseille police.
“Many supporters were visibly upset, especially in the upper concourse of the away section, where the crush became apparent,” the club said.
Newcastle also stressed that the safety of fans at such events must be of paramount importance, while condemning the behavior of the police.
