Newcastle United are set to launch an official complaint with European football's governing body after the club alleged their supporters were subjected to 'unnecessary and disproportionate force' by French police following Tuesday's Champions League match against Marseille.
Chaotic scenes after final whistle
The Magpies suffered a 2-1 defeat at the Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday, 27th November 2025, but the events after the final whistle have sparked outrage. Newcastle fans were held back inside the stadium, a common practice in European fixtures to separate opposing supporters, but the situation escalated dramatically.
The club released a strongly-worded statement condemning the actions of the local police, claiming supporters were 'indiscriminately assaulted' with a combination of pepper spray, batons, and shields. The statement highlighted that many fans were left 'visibly distressed', with particularly concerning reports of crushing in the upper concourse area of the away sector.
Club condemns 'excessive tactics'
Newcastle United confirmed that their staff immediately intervened, addressing the matter with the police on the scene. However, the club stated this had 'limited impact on their excessive tactics'.
Fans leaving the stadium shared their 'distress, frustration and anger' with club officials, who have since been gathering deeply concerning witness reports. 'Supporter safety and welfare should always be of paramount importance,' the club asserted, adding they 'strongly condemn the treatment of our supporters by the police during this incident.'
The plan had been to detain the away supporters for approximately one hour post-match, with groups of 500 then being escorted to the Metro station. Despite fans reportedly waiting patiently, the club alleges they were 'set upon by the French police.'
Formal investigation demanded
In response, Newcastle have pledged to call upon UEFA, Olympique de Marseille, and local authorities to conduct a formal investigation. The club's objective is to ensure lessons are learned and that such behaviour is not repeated.
Newcastle are also liaising with the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) as they compile evidence on behalf of their supporters. The club has encouraged fans who were present to share their experiences and any footage they captured to help strengthen the official complaint.
Social media platforms were flooded with accounts and videos from Newcastle supporters throughout Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The footage appearing to show fans being pushed back by riot shields, struck with batons, and standing in water after the toilets flooded, corroborating the club's claims of a distressing and poorly managed situation.
