A Europa League night in Lyon turned sour for Manchester United supporters after fans accused French police of tear-gassing them following the team’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyonnais.
The quarter-final clash saw United fight back from an early setback to briefly take the lead, only to concede a late equalizer in stoppage time. But it wasn’t just the on-pitch drama that left fans fuming.
Several supporters took to social media to share disturbing footage of the post-match chaos. Videos showed fans covering their noses and coughing inside the Groupama Stadium, with claims that tear gas had been deployed by police while supporters were still being held in the stands.
“Everyone has been tear-gassed,” one fan posted, showing panicked supporters reacting to the suspected chemical irritant. The reason for the use of force remains unclear, though similar scenes have unfolded in other European fixtures involving English clubs.
It’s not the first time such allegations have been levelled against French authorities during continental competitions. Just hours earlier, Chelsea fans were also reportedly held inside their stadium in Poland for nearly two hours after their 3-0 win over Legia Warszawa.
The incident in Lyon has sparked outrage among United fans and calls for UEFA to investigate policing methods at European matches. With the tie delicately poised heading into the second leg at Old Trafford, attention is now equally fixed on the pitch—and on the treatment of travelling fans abroad.
