A brawl involving a group of Crystal Palace fans led to a significant police intervention on Thursday evening, prior to their European match against RC Strasbourg. Footage captured the chaos, where fans were seen throwing chairs and damaging property in Place du Marche Gayot, creating a scene of mayhem.
Incident Overview
The violent confrontation erupted just before the UEFA Conference League game. A small faction of fans engaged in aggressive behavior, prompting immediate police action. Authorities deployed riot police to escort the fans to the stadium in an effort to restore order.
Details of the Incident
- Location: Place du Marche Gayot, Strasbourg
- Date: Thursday evening, before the match at 8 PM
- Teams: Crystal Palace vs. RC Strasbourg
- Competition: UEFA Conference League
As the situation escalated, police vans and officers with riot shields formed a protective barrier for the fans. The disruption led to nearby bars closing their doors as tensions rose in the area. Other supporters watched in disbelief as the altercation unfolded, documenting the incident on their phones.
Impact on Fans
Many well-behaved Crystal Palace supporters were left frustrated by the actions of the unruly group. Reports indicate that, as a consequence of the disturbance, the majority of fans were forced to walk to the stadium under heavy police supervision, instead of using public transport.
Match Context
Crystal Palace entered the match sitting 11th in the league phase of the competition. A victory against RC Strasbourg would significantly improve their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages, as their opponents were placed 7th after three matches.
This incident follows other recent fan-related violence, including clashes involving Bayern Munich supporters in London. El-Balad will continue to monitor developments related to fan conduct and security at sporting events.
