The scenes of Newcastle United fans being subjected to pepper spray, batons, and shields by French police following their Champions League match against Marseille have sparked outrage and raised serious questions about the preparedness of both French authorities and UEFA in ensuring the safety and well-being of supporters. The incident, which occurred after Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at the Stade Vélodrome on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, has drawn parallels to the chaotic scenes witnessed during the 2022 Champions League final in Paris, where Liverpool fans were similarly mistreated.
Newcastle United has confirmed they will be formally lodging a complaint with UEFA, Olympique de Marseille, and the French police regarding the "unacceptable treatment" of their supporters. According to the club, fans were held inside the stadium for an hour post-match as a purported safety measure. However, upon their release in groups of 500, police allegedly began using "unnecessary and disproportionate force" to prevent further movement. This included the use of pepper spray, batons, and shields, with numerous reports of fans being "indiscriminately assaulted".
The club's statement further detailed the distress and frustration experienced by the fans, particularly in the upper concourse area, where overcrowding led to crushing. Newcastle staff on-site attempted to address the police actions but had limited impact. The club has strongly condemned the police's treatment of their supporters, emphasizing that supporter safety and welfare should always be paramount.
In response, Marseille police stated that they maintained a friendly attitude towards the Newcastle fans but claimed that a crowd surge necessitated the intervention of riot police, with one officer deploying tear gas that caused discomfort to around 20 fans for a few minutes. They also stated that apart from this incident, no force was used and the operation went smoothly and that no injuries or complaints were reported following this event.
The events in Marseille have reignited concerns about the lessons learned (or not learned) from the 2022 Champions League final in Paris. That event was marred by organizational failures, heavy-handed policing, and chaotic scenes that left many Liverpool fans traumatized. An independent report concluded that UEFA and French authorities' failures "almost led to a disaster".
In the aftermath of the Paris final, UEFA announced a series of measures aimed at enhancing safeguards for supporters at its finals. These included the appointment of dedicated supporter liaison officers, increased numbers of safety and security personnel, improved stadium signage, and enhanced communication with fan groups. However, the recent events in Marseille suggest that these measures have not been fully effective in preventing the mistreatment of fans.
The incident also raises questions about the consistency of policing approaches at football matches in France. Some reports indicate a tendency for regional police forces in France and Italy to ban away fans from certain matches, raising concerns about control and convenience being prioritized over fan safety and dignity.
Newcastle United is liaising with the UK Football Policing Unit to gather evidence on behalf of their supporters and is calling on UEFA, Olympique de Marseille, and local authorities to formally investigate the matter to ensure lessons are learned and such behavior is not repeated. As the investigation unfolds, the focus must be on ensuring accountability for the events in Marseille and implementing effective measures to protect the safety and well-being of all football supporters attending matches across Europe.
