Lee Jones
had concerns about security and safety prior to travelling to France for this game...highlighted our concerns over lack of transport between Lens and Lille after the game to British Consulate in Lille...fell on deaf ears though..whilst the transport issue did not impact on events inside stadium..it was a clear indicator that the planning an organisation in terms of safety and security of travelling United fans was not what it should have been...this venue is inappropriate for match of this status..it should have been played in Paris (as I understand the authorities wanted) but Lille dug their heels in and wanted it in Lens
Roberto C. Alvarez-Galloso,CPUR:Miami Florida
As a Manchester United Fan and fan of BBC Manchester, I have read what has been happening and I am still fuming at this travesty of justice against United Supporters. Cheers and Solidarity from Miami Florida. Roberto. BBC Manchester Listener since 2003.
Anthony MCkewan
I am a law abiding football supporter from manchester.i was at the game on tuesday and yet again experienced intimidating behaviour from the french police.why should we be treated like animals and herded about like pigs awaiting their slaughter. i am sick of being treated like this at away games in europe. juventus,stuttgart,lyon etc to name a few.the police seem intent on provoking violence to create a reaction as justification of for their behaviour. no visitor would get treated like this at old trafford. i wasnot subject to the gas or the crush as i was in the opposite corner.it was hear where i could see all the missiles rain down on gary neville.uefa have to do something about this it is totally unacceptable.other factors that did not help included entry via one turnstile down a very narrow alleyway, no refreshments available and one toilet shocking.
Bernard from East Lancs
Each time Man Utd go abroad they have with them the Chief Supt from Stretford and a team of "spotters" to pick out banned supporters. Strange we have not heard anything from the English police present in Lens.
Mark Tolan
I am a Manchester United fan that was at the game last night, and I was appalled by our treatment by the French Police from the moment that we arrived.
I couldn`t believe the state of a ground for a Champions league game, it was like returning to the era before all seater stadiums were introduced. We were fenced in like cattle only treated worse.
I thought that clubs across the world had learnt from the disaster at Hillsborough, but obviously not the French.
As people tried to scale the fences in order to escape from an overcrowding which the Police themselves had created, they were bombarded with tear gas and battoned until they fell off the fence.
I am amazed that there were not more casualties, even fatalaties! In addition to being treated barbarically by the Police, we were constantly targeted by the Lille fans who were directly above us in an upper tier. Throughout the match, coins and other missiles rained down on us and yet the Police did nothing.
Lens ground, where the match took place, was nowhere near suitable to hold a champions league fixture and UEFA should now fully investigate this and the dispicable actions of the Police.
Eddy Monkfish
It must have been a dreadful crush... Glad that the 2 people who were dragged out relieved it!!! Man Utd fans making a mountain out of a mole hill again!! It was nothing like hillsbrough. Get a grip!!
Mark Goodwin
I have first hand experiences of the French Police. I am an Aston Villa Supporter and travelled to Rennes for an Inter Toto Cup match in 2001. As its not the greatest European Cup competition there were only about 100 Villa fans there and many were families who just happened to be on holiday in France at the time.
During the game the Police kept us locked in the away End in a steel pen and we weren't allowed to leave this pen until 15 mins. after the match had finished.
To make matters even worse the Police must have numbered 50 and they marched us out of the ground at the end and up to the main road wearing riot shields and carrying batons.Considering as I have said there were only 100 of us including women and children it was totally over the top.
When we reached the Main Road they tried to send us all the same way but as there were holiday makers everyone wanted to go in different directions.
The Police were not happy so we all took it upon ourselves to do our own thing. Problem was the Police had no answer as we just all mingled in with the locals who understandibly looked a bit concerned.
My everlasting memory of the whole event is looking round and seeing 50 Police with riot shields standing in the middle of the road not knowing what to do.
Why didn't the police baton charge the Lille fans last night that were throwing objects onto the pitch. Imagine the scene if Man United fans had reacted in the same manner as the home fans!!
Mark Goodwin
AVSC Sutton Coldfield Branch
