‘Man United investigate tear gas incident with fans in Lyon after footage emerge’
Man United are investigating claims made by fans that they were tear-gassed in Lyon following the draw between the two sides.
Videos have emerged online of fans covering their faces whilst violently coughing in the away section of Lyon’s Groupama stadium.
Prior to the match, comments made by Nemanja Matic about Andre Onana were the main talking point, as the former United man called the Cameroonian “one of the worst goalkeepers” in the club’s history.
Onana then made two costly errors, allowing Lyon to score twice in a 2-2 draw; however, after allowing the home fans to leave the stadium, United fans found themselves in a hellish situation in France.
Footage emerges after Man United fans claim they were tear-gassed
After claims were made of tear gas being used on fans, a video was published on X by a supporter in attendance in Lyon showing fans covering their mouths and eyes and coughing violently.
The stadium can be seen to be empty of Lyon fans, with the user incredulous at the use of chemical weapons on fans.
Whilst they then clarified he suspected it to be pepper-spray, as opposed to tear gas, the use of either in a football stadium is a shock without obvious reason.
Chris Wheeler, a writer for the Daily Mail, reported United were investigating the incident, but the club are yet to publish a statement on the incident.
This is not the first time English fans have been subjected to the use of chemical weapons by the French police, with Liverpool fans being tear-gassed prior to the Champions League final in Paris in 2022.
Man United must support fans after terrifying ordeal in France
Football Insider Verdict
The use of riot control agents (RCA), such as tear gas and pepper spray, against football fans whilst in a football stadium is baffling and difficult to comprehend, short of major disturbances occurring.
Prior to Liverpool’s Champions League final match in France, overcrowding and congestion led to French police spraying Liverpool fans with RCA’s.
Ticketless fans were initially blamed by both UEFA and French authorities, before an independent report found the use of tear gas was “not absolutely necessary” and the “panic created put people at risk” [via BBC News].
Once again, English fans found themselves subjected to the terrifying experience of being tear gassed whilst in France.
The casual nature of RCA’s being used against English fans is troubling, and United will hopefully be quick to condemn the violence committed against their supporters.