Fan treatment in Lyon to be investigated by Manchester United after it was revealed that tear gas was used on fans.
Fan treatment in Lyon has prompted an investigation from Manchester United.
The way Manchester United supporters were treated during Thursday’s 2-2 draw against Lyon is being looked at. In order to restore peace, the local authorities acknowledged that French police had deployed tear gas, but claimed it was “proportionate.”
Social media posts depicted United supporters experiencing the impact of the spray during the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinal.
“English fans were seated in the away section waiting to be allowed to join their bus. They attempted to force their way through the security measures deployed by the national police. Projectiles were also reported to be thrown at the police. The police therefore used moderate, proportionate and necessary force (tear gas) to restore calm.
“All the English supporters were then led to the buses to leave the stadium. It was a very brief moment and the rest of the event went well overall. We are committed to doing everything possible to welcome foreign supporters in safe conditions.”
Football Supporters Europe criticised the police, claiming teargas was used after fans were prevented from using the toilets. Ronan Evain, FSE’s executive director, said: “It is completely unacceptable that the police would think it’s OK to stop people from going to the toilets – then the reaction to it is completely disproportionate. It is human nature that people will lose their temper if the police take away basic elements of basic human dignity like being allowed to go to the toilet.
“The police are responsible for creating this tension, for escalating it instead of taking the only logical decision in this situation, which is to permit people to go to the toilet, even if it’s only small groups. That they’re choosing to escalate this even further [via the spray] can’t be justified.”