Fan reports being held 'like caged animals'

NEWCASTLE United are dealing with multiple complaints after the French police used tear gas and batons to try to control crowds after the 2-1 defeat at the Velodrome in Marseille on Tuesday night.

- By LEE RYDER

Amid chaotic scenes, some fans were held back more than an hour after the match and herded on to Metro trains back to La Joliette.

Having been issued with mandatory instructions in the buildup to the game and threatened with no entry if they did not comply with travel plans, one fan described the scenes as being treated like “caged animals” in the south of France.

It was reported yesterday that the club is considering making an official complaint to both UEFA and the French authorities over the treatment of their fans.

United supporters always knew there would be a hold back after the game but police were in no hurry to get fans back to their hotels on Tuesday night.