Teargas Turmoil: Manchester United Fans Caught in Lyon Chaos as Police Tactics Spark Outrage
An alarming incident unfolded after Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final against Lyon, when tear gas was reportedly deployed on travelling supporters, igniting condemnation from fans, watchdogs, and public officials. The episode raises pressing questions about fan safety, police conduct, and the treatment of English supporters abroad.
Thursday night saw almost 3,000 United fans make the journey to Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, only to find themselves at the centre of a storm both literal and symbolic. Social media quickly flooded with videos showing supporters coughing, sneezing, and shielding their faces in distress, after a substance—believed to be pepper spray—was sprayed in the away section. One fan could be heard asking, “What the f***ing hell is going on here?”, encapsulating the confusion and fear among the crowd.
Manchester and European fan organisations have condemned the “disproportionate” actions of French police. Ronan Evain, Executive Director of Football Supporters Europe (FSE), described the situation as “completely unacceptable”, highlighting that fans were denied access to toilets for nearly an hour. “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,” Evain noted, arguing that the authorities had escalated tensions unnecessarily.
The local Rhone prefecture maintained that “moderate, proportionate and necessary force” had been used after fans allegedly attempted to breach police security and threw projectiles. They insisted the tear gas was a brief measure, deployed to restore order and ensure the safe departure of supporters. Nevertheless, this narrative is contested by eyewitnesses, who insist there had been no major provocation or incidents warranting such a reaction.
Personal testimonies added vivid detail to the chaos. Jason White, a veteran United season ticket holder, reported, “All of a sudden I just started sneezing. Not just once or twice, but a good few times, which I thought was a bit strange. I looked round and everyone was covering their faces. This waft across the stand, it was like a blanket.” He added, "There were some elderly people, and some must have had underlying health issues. Some people must have been really frightened and scared." Others described witnessing fans throwing up or breaking into tears, emphasizing the intensity of the moment.
The problems began even before kick-off. Supporters endured logistical headaches: being required to travel miles outside Lyon to collect wristbands, then facing long queues, significant expenses, and even the risk of missing the match when public transport failed. Fans who tried to make their way independently to the ground were reportedly barred entry, regardless of having valid tickets.
Duncan Drasdo, chief executive of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), was blunt in his critique: “It’s totally over the top… The host club should not be given license to host matches if they cannot guarantee the safety of away supporters.” He and others pointed to a pattern of confrontational policing at French stadiums, a view echoed by Mayor Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester, who called the treatment "completely unacceptable.”
In the aftermath, both MUST and FSE are actively collecting witness statements and exploring potential legal action. Manchester United FC has pledged to investigate and seek clarity from French authorities, while questions persist about how such situations can be avoided in future European fixtures.
This episode has thrown a spotlight on the larger debate over the handling of away fans in continental competitions, particularly in France. As testimonies continue to emerge, many will wonder whether reforms are on the horizon, or if such distressing scenes will become an unwelcome norm. Readers: what do you think needs to be done to better safeguard supporters on the road? Share your thoughts below.
