Following the meeting of Ligue Europa between Olympique Lyonnais and Manchester United, last Thursday at the Groupama Stadium, regrettable incidents occurred between English supporters and French law enforcement. Nearly 2,800 British fans had converged towards the stadium to attend the draw (2-2) which determined the quarter final go from the competition. The atmosphere, already tense by the importance of the match, degenerated following the meeting, giving rise to a confrontation that marked the minds.

According to testimonies collected and relayed by the Daily Mail, the Manchester United club opened an investigation into complaints of supporters who had been victims of tear gas. The latter, trying to join the toilet after the match, were allegedly forced by the French police to wait in their parking lot, before being pushed inside by the use of these projectiles. This intervention, considered disproportionate by some, revived questions about the support of foreign supporters at sporting events in France.

This episode, far from improving the image of the reception reserved for foreign fans, recalls the harsh criticisms expressed following the incidents at the final of the Champions League at the Stade de France in 2022. He again raised the issue of crowd management and the use of means of force during these gatherings, as well as the need for clear and respectful communication between law enforcement and supporters.