JITTERY POLICE, LACK OF ORGANISATION, TEAR GAS…

Last updated : 17 September 2004 By editor

‘Face in the crowd’ on the official site sums up the trouble at the end of the match on Wednesday:

‘The Reds' trip to Lyon ended as so many other Euro aways have in recent years, with angry United fans recounting tales of heavy-handed policing. Having watched their team save a point, and face, with a Ruud van Nistelrooy inspired second half comeback supporters were tear-gassed as they waited to leave the stadium.

’Signs that the police were nervous about the arrival of the English were clear from the minute the coaches pulled into the car park outside the 'visiteurs' section. Lines of riot police blocked supporters from walking to the nearby bars or food stalls and anyone innocently straying the wrong side of the
cordon was greeted not with an "excusez moi, monsieur" but an arm across the chest and an aggressive shove back in the opposite direction.

’As usual supporters were kept in the ground - 'for their own safety' - and made their way under the stand to wait until the exits were opened. As happened at Porto, Turin on three occasions and twice at Madrid, supporters at the back grew impatient with the wait and so pushed forward, thrusting those fans at the front towards the line of police blocking their way.

’The customary response of the continental police to this is usually the wielding of batons but this time a tear gas canister was hurled into the midst of supporters. Those at the front bore the brunt but those queuing on the stairs further back also suffered from streaming eyes, disorientation and breathing difficulties.

’The action was not only unnecessary - especially as the exits were opened a mere 30 seconds later - but it altered the mood amongst supporters. Many were shocked, the majority angered.

’Fans arriving back at the airport were greeted by a police water-cannon, the type used to disperse rioting, and dozens more baton wielding police. It summed up the attitude of the French authorities to the arrival of Manchester United supporters.

’Those not caught up in the post match events will probably wonder what all the fuss is about and question whether it was a major incident. Sadly that appears to be part of the problem.

’The reputation of English clubs causes fear and over-reaction from the local police and United supporters, as England's most-
travelled fans, are becoming increasingly used to rough treatment. Reds now accept it as an unfortunate but inevitable part of the Euro away experience. It shouldn't be this way.’