Chelsea fans were caught up in violence ahead of their side’s Champions League Round of 16 return leg in Lille as French police used batons and tear gas.
Thousands of Blues fans travelled to the northern French city for Wednesday evening’s game against the French champions. Thomas Tuchel’s side hold a two-goal advantage in the tie following last month’s first leg result at Stamford Bridge and are heavy favourites to book their place in the last eight of the competition.
Yet travelling fans were caught up in violence with video footage showing a large group of Blues fans singing songs and drinking on the streets of the town, with minor skirmishes breaking out. Local police in riot gear are then seen to enter the vicinity and use batons and tear gas on fans.
One Chelsea fan took to Twitter to write after the incident: “SO MUCH PAIN battered on back and stood near tear gas for ages.” They then posted a further update 20 minutes later to clarify: “We was literally singing chelsea chelsea chelsea lille fans came over started on us lille police came over swinging their f***ing batons smacked me on the back I was thankfully pulled by someone (if that was you thank you so much ) I didn’t realise until the second one thrown.”
Another Blues fan wrote on Twitter: “It was probably the worst experience at a football related place. We were really really peacefully drinking at the away pub but suddenly got involved in tear gas. I don't know why the police officers threw the gus bombs.”
A local police spokesman, who said the violence started soon after 6.30pm, said: "We were called to the bar following complaints about the behaviour of the supporters. "Roads around the area have been cordoned off and there are still isolated pockets of trouble around the city."
The incident comes with Chelsea as a club now operating under a special license - severely limiting their revenue streams - and shirt sponsors Three have suspended their partnership, worth £40million per annum.
The West London club are desperate to secure a new owner amid a budget crisis, with their funds dictated by the British government in the wake of the sanctions imposed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich. The billionaire has had his assets frozen in the UK in the wake of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, although he continues to deny any links to president Vladimir Putin. The EU have subsequently imposed further sanctions on the oligarch.
On Saturday, the Premier League confirmed they had suspended Abramovich as director of the club. Barclays have also suspended the club's bank account and there's a possibility the Blues could face financial armageddon between now and the summer due to the precarious situation.
The Blues have enjoyed a strong season on the pitch and are hopeful of retaining their Champions League title – which they won for the second time in their history last season. They lead French side Lille 2-0 from last month’s first leg at Stamford Bridge and are heavy favourites to book a place in the last eight.
Lille sensationally won last season’s Ligue 1 title as they pipped heavy favourites Paris Saint-Germain to the crown in one of European football’s greatest underdog titles. Boss Christophe Galtier then left over summer which prompted a downturn in results. Despite a significant upturn in results in the second half of this campaign, they languish in sixth place in Ligue 1.
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