Newcastle Fans Attacked with Tear Gas in Marseille Despite Police Warnings

On the early hours of November 25, 2025, Newcastle United supporters were ambushed in Marseille’s Vieux Port with tear gas and physical violence—despite repeated, explicit warnings from French authorities. Eyewitnesses, social media videos, and independent reporting paint a chilling picture: groups of men, reportedly targeting English fans, surrounded individuals in narrow alleyways, threw chemical agents, and launched coordinated assaults before vanishing into the night. The attacks came just hours before Newcastle’s crucial Champions League clash with Olympique de Marseille, turning what should have been a celebration of football into a nightmare of fear and confusion.

Warnings Ignored, Violence Followed

French police, specifically the CRS (Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité), had issued strong public advisories in the days leading up to the match, urging Newcastle supporters to avoid the Vieux Port after dark. Local officials cited a pattern of targeted harassment against English fans in Marseille dating back to at least 2022, when similar incidents occurred ahead of PSG matches. Yet, hundreds of fans ignored the warnings, drawn by the city’s nightlife and the camaraderie of travel. "They knew the risks," said Adam Pearson, a football commentator whose YouTube footage from the night has become a key source of evidence. "But they thought they’d be fine. They weren’t."

By 2 a.m., the streets near the port were chaotic. Witnesses inside bars reported groups of men in hoodies entering suddenly, hurling tear gas canisters before sprinting out. Others claim the tear gas came from police attempting to disperse crowds. The confusion is deliberate—and dangerous. "It’s not just about violence," Pearson noted in his video at the 303-second mark. "It’s about creating chaos so no one knows who’s attacking. Is it locals? Is it police? Is it both? That’s the point."

A Pattern Repeats: PSG, Then Newcastle

The incident echoes a notorious episode from 2022, when English supporters traveling to Paris for a PSG match were similarly targeted in the early morning hours. In that case, groups of local youths and suspected far-right agitators coordinated attacks on fans wearing away jerseys, using pepper spray, bottles, and fists. No arrests were made. Now, Marseille appears to be following the same playbook. Pearson’s footage, timestamped at 586 seconds, shows blurred videos circulating on hooligan forums—footage of a single Newcastle fan, surrounded by five men taking turns delivering punches and kicks. "It’s not random," he says. "It’s ritual. They wait until the night’s quiet. Until the cameras are off. Until the police are distracted elsewhere."

Journalist Miles Starforth, author of Miles Starforth’s Newcastle Notes, documented his own experience the day before the match. "We were drinking in the sun at the Vieux Port, laughing, taking photos," he wrote. "But we could feel eyes on us. Tunisian supporters, locals—watching. Not hostile. Not yet. Just... watching." By late afternoon, the mood shifted. Beer cans flew. Glass shattered. The CRS moved in, but not just against the instigators. "We were running down a side street to escape, and suddenly—batons. We didn’t throw anything. We weren’t even shouting. They hit us anyway," Starforth recalled. According to BBC reporting he cited, at least 32 people were injured during seven hours of unrest that day.

Who’s Behind It? And Why?

The identity of the attackers remains unclear. French authorities have not named any suspects, and no arrests have been announced. But the timing, location, and method suggest organization—not spontaneous rage. The attacks occurred in areas known for high foot traffic among tourists but low surveillance. They targeted fans wearing identifiable clothing. And they struck in the early hours, when police presence is thin and social media footage is harder to verify.

Some experts point to a broader trend: the weaponization of football rivalries by local criminal networks. "These aren’t just fans," said Dr. Eleanor Voss, a criminologist at the University of Lyon who studies football-related violence. "They’re using the emotional intensity of football as cover. The jerseys are the target. The chaos is the weapon. And the goal? To scare visitors away—not just from Marseille, but from French football altogether."

What Happens Now?

UEFA has opened a formal investigation into the incident. Newcastle United released a statement expressing "deep concern" and urging fans to follow official safety guidance. But the damage is done. Social media is flooded with videos of the attacks. Fans who were there are now too afraid to speak publicly. And the French government faces mounting pressure to act—or risk further alienating international supporters.

The match itself went ahead as scheduled. Newcastle won 2-1. But for many who traveled, the victory felt hollow. "We came for football," said one fan from Gateshead, speaking anonymously. "We left feeling like we were hunted."

Historical Context: A City With a Reputation

Marseille has long been a flashpoint for football-related violence. The 1998 World Cup saw riots in the city. In 2010, a fan was stabbed during a Marseille-PSG match. In 2022, a group of English supporters were ambushed outside a bar near the Stade Vélodrome. Each time, authorities promised reforms. Each time, little changed. The Vieux Port, once a vibrant tourist hub, is now avoided by many English-speaking visitors during match days.

Even the city’s own residents are divided. Some condemn the violence. Others, frustrated by perceived double standards in how foreign fans are treated, quietly tolerate it. "They come here, they drink, they shout, they act like they own the place," said one local bar owner near the port, who asked not to be named. "But that doesn’t mean they deserve to be beaten."