Olympique de Marseille have issued a response that has shocked and angered many Newcastle United supporters after the club raised serious concerns about how their fans were treated during Tuesday night’s Champions League match at the Stade Vélodrome.
The situation has already stirred frustration across the fanbase, especially after Newcastle released a strong statement on Wednesday morning confirming that they would be taking the matter directly to UEFA, Olympique de Marseille and the French police.
Newcastle made it clear that what happened to their fans was not only unacceptable, but dangerous, and needed to be addressed immediately.
The statement from Newcastle highlighted the need for accountability, yet the reaction from Marseille has left many stunned. Instead of acknowledging the issues or even recognising the complaints that have come from hundreds of travelling fans, the French club have chosen to dismiss everything outright.
Their response did not express concern, nor did it show a willingness to investigate. Instead, it brushed aside every worry and ended with a line that many supporters have labelled outrageous, praising the police for their “rigorous and coordinated work” and claiming that their actions ensured the safety and smooth running of the event.
For fans who were there and witnessed the chaos first-hand, reading such a statement feels like adding insult to injury. Many Newcastle supporters have described being treated harshly, trapped in dangerous areas, and pushed around by police with no clear communication.
Videos and accounts online show confusion, fear and heavy-handed policing. Yet Marseille’s official position is that nothing happened and everything went exactly as planned. The disconnect between the club’s statement and the experiences of the travelling supporters could not be more stark.
In their official statement, Marseille claim that all arrangements were organised well in advance of the match in close coordination with UEFA, the Police Prefecture and Newcastle United.
They insist the entire process went smoothly and that they invested heavily in ensuring a so-called “quality welcome” for visiting fans. They even state that they received no complaints during or immediately after the match and that UEFA’s initial feedback supported their version of events.
These claims have only frustrated supporters further, as many feel the statement attempts to rewrite what was clearly a troubled and unsafe experience.
Newcastle fans have been vocal about the mistakes and poor organisation that took place. Reports describe supporters being held in cramped areas for long periods with no water, no clear instructions and aggressive policing.
Some fans claimed they felt unsafe and feared a crush, while others said they were blocked from leaving the stadium without explanation. Many also argued that police escalated situations instead of controlling them, making everything more chaotic.
For Marseille to categorically deny that anything was wrong has created even more anger. Instead of acknowledging that the experience for away fans was far from acceptable, the club’s response paints a picture of a perfectly managed event that simply does not match reality.
Their insistence that their responsibility cannot be “wrongly called into question” feels dismissive to those who suffered through the situation.
The closing line of Marseille’s statement, where they commend the Police Prefecture for their “rigorous and coordinated work,” has been viewed by many as the most tone-deaf part of the entire response.
Fans who felt threatened, pushed and mistreated were shocked to see the club praise the exact authorities whose handling caused widespread concern.
What was supposed to be a night of Champions League football became a tense and intimidating experience, and the last thing those supporters expected was a statement praising the operation.
This situation now places even more pressure on UEFA to step in and conduct an impartial investigation. Newcastle United have made it clear they will not let the issue fade quietly, and supporters are demanding answers.
Trust has been damaged, and fans want reassurance that future European away matches will not expose them to similar experiences.
As things stand, the gap between the two clubs’ accounts is enormous, and only a thorough, transparent investigation will bring clarity.
For now, Newcastle fans will continue to speak up, sharing their stories and pushing for real accountability. Marseille’s attempt to deny and deflect has only made the situation more frustrating, leaving supporters determined to ensure the truth is heard.
In the end, football matches should never place fans in danger, and the events in Marseille will not be forgotten anytime soon.
