In France, Newcastle United fans encountered severe mistreatment by police following their Champions League match in Marseille. The incident took place after the game at Stade Velodrome, where supporters were held for up to an hour before being released in groups. The police responded with excessive force, utilizing pepper spray and batons on the waiting fans, who were described as being patient and without incident. Newcastle fans experienced visible distress, leading to dangerous crushing in the upper concourse area as they attempted to exit. Despite Newcastle staff addressing the situation with the police on-site, it had a limited effect on halting what was labeled as ‘excessive tactics’ employed by law enforcement. This incident draws further attention to the longstanding issue of police treatment of English football fans in France, which has seen a pattern of disproportionate responses to fan gatherings. The club has strongly condemned the police behavior and highlighted the need for an investigation into the matter to prevent recurrence. The events have stirred memories of past tragedies involving crowd control failures, such as the Heysel disaster in 1985, which birthed a negative stereotype of English fans. This unjust association seems to still influence policing in France today, where authorities often prepare for the worst, leading to aggressive preemptive measures that can escalate tensions and create dangerous situations for fans. The context of historical issues surrounding English football supporters adds layers to the problem, as many fans express concern over repeat incidents and the perceived lack of adequate protections. Newcastle’s commitment to seeking action through Uefa underscores the importance of ensuring fan safety at international sporting events. The club's actions aim to facilitate a systematic change in how matchday security is approached across Europe, hinting at a larger responsibility that Uefa should uphold when managing fan safety during competitions. As Newcastle gathers evidence in collaboration with the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit, the hope is to enact reform that enhances the experience for traveling supporters, preventing further cases of distressing encounters with police in future matches.