Marseille have issued a statement in response to Newcastle United confirming they will be issuing a formal complaint regarding the treatment of Toon supporters on Tuesday night.
Newcastle United supporters were given a police escort to and from the Champions League game at the Stade Velodrome, with fans held inside the ground for an hour after the final whistle.
On Thursday, the club issued a firm response to what happened inside the Stade Velodrome when fans were being held back. They state that Newcastle fans were met with ‘unnecessary and disproportionate force’ from police, despite club staff raising concerns with the authorities.
The club want a formal investigation into what happened on Tuesday night, to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future. Newcastle fans have praised the club for their statement, while Marseille have now issued a response.
Newcastle United take action after the treatment of fans in Marseille. Let us hear your experience out in France!
Marseille say UEFA standards were met after Newcastle United complaint
Hours after Newcastle United’s official statement, Marseille issued a statement of their own.
They insist that UEFA standards were met, and that there were no issues raised by Newcastle United during or in the hours after the event.
“Olympique de Marseille has taken note of the statement published by Newcastle United FC following the Champions League match played this Tuesday at the Orange Vélodrome,” they wrote on their official website.
“The Club reiterates that the arrangements for the arrival and departure of visiting supporters were finalized well in advance of the match, in close coordination with the Paris Police Prefecture, UEFA, and Newcastle United FC itself. This system, compliant with UEFA standards, was meticulously implemented and proceeded smoothly.
“Olympique de Marseille also wishes to remind everyone that it deploys significant human, technical, logistical and financial resources at each match to guarantee opposing fans a quality welcome and optimal security conditions.
“The Club also emphasizes that no specific incidents or alerts were reported to it by Newcastle United FC during the evening of the match, nor by their representatives present at the stadium, nor in the hours following the match. Furthermore, the feedback sent to our department by UEFA after the match confirms the quality of the security measures implemented and their effective operational execution.
“Olympique de Marseille reaffirms once again its unwavering commitment to the safe travel of its own supporters and, consequently, its dedication to providing away fans with a suitable and secure environment. Therefore, the Club cannot accept that its responsibility be wrongly called into question.
“Finally, the Club wishes to commend the rigorous and coordinated work of the Police Prefecture, whose actions ensured the smooth running of the event and the safety of all supporters.”
Newcastle United want to hear from fans who attended Marseille away
Following the game, Newcastle United have called on supporters in attendance to share their experiences of what happened inside the Stade Velodrome. That will strengthen the Magpies’ case, as they attempt to collate as much evidence as possible and paint a clearer picture of what transpired.
Newcastle United fans, give us your actual experiences of Marseille…
This was Newcastle United’s second of four Champions League away games, having previously played against Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels.
Next up is a trip to Germany, with Eddie Howe’s side taking on Bayer Leverkusen on 10th December.
Their fourth Champions League away game is against Paris Saint-Germain, which means a return to France for the travelling Toon Army.
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