Man United fan groups exploring legal action against French authorities | OneFootball

Manchester United fans are exploring legal action after their horrendous treatment in France during last week’s Europa League tie.

United managed to throw away a 2-1 lead in the final seconds of the match and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Olympique Lyonnais.

The second leg will be played at Old Trafford tomorrow evening with the match finely balanced.

United fans’ moods were only to get worse after their treatment in the French city, however.

Before the match, The Peoples Person has already relayed that fans had to make their way to the Eurexpo Conference Centre to collect a wristband and then get a coach to the match.

This robbed them of the chance to soak up the atmosphere in the city centre before the match, which is commonplace in European away days.

It was also reported that after the game, fans were tear-gassed in the stadium by French police and that the club has subsequently launched an investigation.

The Daily Mail now reports that, “United fans are exploring legal action after supporters were tear-gassed by French police following the Europa League quarter-final first leg in Lyon last Thursday.”

“Those in the away end at the Groupama Stadium were subjected to heavy-handed treatment by police, who sprayed fans with tear gas after they tried to access toilet facilities during the mandatory hold-back of more than an hour.”

The paper reports that groups including the Manchester United Supporters Trust are speaking with experts in England and France to “see whether there is scope for a legal challenge.”

There is no clear plan of action yet but it seems that legal action against the French authorities is certainly “believed to be on the table.”

Lyon fans coming to Manchester will face no such problems as there is no mandatory meeting place and tickets do not need to be collected at a certain point.

Featured image, stewards protecting Bruno Fernandes from missiles thrown by Lyon fans, by Michael Steele via Getty Images

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social