MANCHESTER UNITED fans were reportedly “pepper-sprayed” for trying to use the toilet after their Europa League clash with Lyon.
Shocking footage circulating on social media shows fans in the away end coughing and struggling to breath clearly.
Travelling Red Devils fans witnessed their team draw the first leg of their quarter-final clash with the Ligue 1 side 2-2.
French police kept them in Parc Olympique Lyonnais for an hour after the game to prevent potential clashes with home fans – a tactic not uncommon at high profile European games.
But according to reports from travelling Old Trafford faithful, police hit them with pepper spray when they tried to briefly leave their seats to go to the loo.
United fan James Young shared a photo on X of two fans covering their mouths after allegedly being pepper-sprayed.
His accompanying caption read: “United fans pepper sprayed at full time trying to use the toilet in Lyon.
“Bussed into stadium from a collection point miles away, metro down and an hour’s holdback after the game.
“UEFA/ French Police once again treating fans terribly.”
Club reporter Harry Robson wrote: “Frustrating end to United’s game in Lyon.
“Fans warned of an hour’s holdback, but with full access to facilities.
“French police have locked off the toilets and concourse are now pepper spraying behind riot shields.
“Thanks for the hospitality, France.”
A video circulating on social media appeared to show United fans – who endured a nightmare journey to the stadium due to Lyon’s metro system being down – reacting to French police firing tear gas into the away end.
In the clip, a United fan can be heard saying: “‘Everyone has been f***ing tear-gassed here.
“What the f***ing hell is going on here? How the f***ing hell can they be using tear-gas at a football match?”
As the camera pans around, several fans can be seen covering their noses and mouths as they struggle to breath clearly.
“Look at this, this is f***ing disgusting,” the furious fan continued. “People are being sick down here, f***ing hell.”
Another video posted on social media appeared to show a group of United fans being pepper-sprayed while out on the streets of Lyon.
United have yet to comment on claims that their fans were pepper-sprayed and subjected to heavy-handed policing, but, as have French police, have been approached for comment.
Man Utd ratings vs Lyon as two Onana blunders earn under-fire keeper a ONE out of 10
MANCHESTER UNITED were left ruing calamity goalkeeper Andre Onana as two massive blunders saw them leave their Europa League quarter-final first leg with a 2-2 draw against Lyon.
The season-defining clash for both clubs became even spicier ahead of the game following a war words between Onana and ex-Red Devils star Nemanja Matic, with the Serbian dubbing the goalkeeper “one of the worst in United history”.
It certainly riled up the home side’s crowd, who made their voices known as Ruben Amorim named an unchanged team – for the first time since his arrival – from the Manchester derby.
But Onana was found wanting when he failed to save Thiago Almada’s inswinging free-kick to give the hosts the lead.
Leny Yoro nodded in an equaliser just before the interval after Manuel Ugarte‘s volley.
And Joshua Zirkzee looked to have won the game for the visitors with his late header converting a Fernandes cross.
But United’s joy was short-lived as Onana parried a shot straight to Rayan Cherki in added time, and the midfielder tapped in to leave the tie on a knife-edge.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tony Robertson rated the Red Devils in France…
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