Newcastle supporters faced an assault in France before the highly anticipated PSG showdown, with incidents involving thrown chairs and broken windows.

Ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League clash between Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain, fans of the English club were targeted by the ultras of the French team. The incident adds tension to the highly anticipated match, where Eddie Howe’s side is aiming to secure a crucial victory to enhance their prospects of advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.

Despite currently occupying the bottom position in their group, Newcastle United previously demonstrated their prowess by defeating PSG 4-1 in last month’s tournament encounter. As the match approaches this evening, fans have been converging on the French capital in anticipation of another thrilling showdown.

Unpleasant incidents unfolded in Paris on Monday night as PSG ultras appeared to assault Newcastle fans. Videos circulating on social media depicted scenes of Newcastle supporters attempting to barricade doors while flares and chairs were hurled in their direction. In response to the footage, the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust issued a message, urging fans to stay safe in Paris, stick together, and look out for one another. One video highlighted Newcastle fans’ efforts to prevent PSG ultras from forcibly entering a bar they were in.

Additional footage captured the escalation of tensions, revealing smashed glasses and broken windows as tempers flared. To preempt potential violence ahead of the fixture, police had previously issued a directive for designated pubs catering to away fans to close early, aiming to mitigate the risk of clashes. Anticipated trouble stemmed from previous incidents, as PSG fans had engaged in altercations with Newcastle supporters after their match the previous month. The heightened concern for fan safety follows an earlier incident in the season when a Newcastle fan was stabbed in Milan by a pursuing gang on his way back to the hotel.

Eddie McKay, a 58-year-old Newcastle supporter, was ambushed by a group of seven or eight individuals after spending time in Milan’s Navigli district. During the attack, McKay sustained two stab wounds to the arm and one to the back. Describing the incident as unprovoked, he expressed gratitude that his son and friend emerged without serious injuries. McKay later returned home, receiving well-wishes from Newcastle, whose statement conveyed thoughts for his recovery. Meanwhile, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe disclosed that a “fear of failure” is driving him as the crucial match against PSG approaches.

Eddie Howe emphasized the importance of playing with intensity, stating, “We need to play on the edge. Every team is at their best when they have that emotion running through them, and we need that energy because this is the defining moment of our Champions League campaign. We are fully aware of where we are and what we need to do.”

Addressing the defensive aspect, Howe highlighted the team’s solid structure and resilience throughout the season, emphasizing the need for these qualities to be at their peak against PSG. He admitted that the fear of failure serves as a motivating factor in his career, expressing discomfort with losing regardless of the occasion, a sentiment that certainly applies to the upcoming crucial match.

Eddie Howe underlined the immense motivation driving Newcastle United, stating, “I don’t think the motivation could be any bigger for us. We want to be in [the Champions League] as long as we can be, and that makes tomorrow a huge moment in our season. We have a plan, and we will try to get ready to execute it and be prepared for the game.” The significance of the upcoming match as a pivotal juncture in their season adds to the determination of the team to succeed in the Champions League.

source: https://www.gbnews.com/sport/football/newcastle-fans-attacked-france-psg-champions-league