Manchester United fans complain of 'deplorable treatment' in Bruges

horsechoker

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https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51619037

A Manchester United fans group has written an open letter to the mayor of Bruges, complaining of what they call "deplorable treatment" during their trip to the city.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side drew 1-1 with Club Bruges last week in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

Supporters described the trip as "the worst experience of a European away game they'd had for many years".

"Fans were in genuine fear for their safety," the letter said.

"We returned home with an impression of Bruges that should shame all those responsible for our safety and security," the Manchester United Supporters Trust continued.

"We have numerous reports that the police instructed taxi drivers to stay away from the ground and not to pick up Manchester United fans. It was a long walk in horrendous weather conditions from the town to the stadium."

The letter to mayor Dirk De fauw also questioned the local police's use of water cannons and barbed wire barriers, as well as an apparent refusal to allow supporters to exit the stadium.

"We would be embarrassed if visitors to Manchester were treated as described above - are you not ashamed of the way visitors to your city were treated?" it read. "Poor treatment is one issue but the safety concerns go far beyond that and we will be sending a report to Uefa outlining the issues our supporters have sent to us."

In the letter, MUST also alleged:

  • fans had been "deliberately sent in the wrong direction on long detours"
  • there was "almost universal hostility from police when they were approached for assistance/directions"
  • exit gates in the stadium were "locked leading to the build up of crowds and the risk of a crush developing"
Manchester United fans are being invited to submit personal accounts of their experiences through the Trust's website.

BBC Sport has contacted the mayor's office for comment.
 

GDaly95

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Hard to believe anything would come from it, and the last complain I'd expect to see in what I always thought of as a calm, peaceful city.

Shame. Assuming it's true and there's no reason why it wouldn't be, let's hope we do a job on them on Thursday - on the pitch.
 

yumtum

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I remember the Rome fiasco we had a few years ago, it boggles my mind how UEFA allow certain teams to treat certain supporters the way they do with impunity.

It wont be long before there will be a few deaths due to this.
 

RedIan

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Anyone recall going to Oporto away march 1997. We walked in through the gates at the away end and there was a 15 yard tunnel through to the terraces. The tunnel was lined on both sides by Portuguese Police, batons out and They just continuously whacked anyone who walked close to them. Men women or children were struck with batons purely for being in striking range, there was no trouble just innocent people getting Struck . - now that was a shocking experience !
 

thepolice123

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Imagine going through all that only to reach stadium and watch that piss poor performance from us, served up by Lingard, Pereira and Mata. Ffs.
 

TwoSheds

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Anyone recall going to Oporto away march 1997. We walked in through the gates at the away end and there was a 15 yard tunnel through to the terraces. The tunnel was lined on both sides by Portuguese Police, batons out and They just continuously whacked anyone who walked close to them. Men women or children were struck with batons purely for being in striking range, there was no trouble just innocent people getting Struck . - now that was a shocking experience !
That does sound fecked up! :eek:
 

Brightonian

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Given that stadia full of people can scream racial abuse at players and get away with it, I don't really see anything coming of this. Shameful, though, if true.
 

RoyH1

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Police in many European countries still behave like we're in the Euro 2000 when it comes to British football fans They need to realize that a lot of that culture doesn't exist anymore and that the vast majority of the nasty elements have been weeded out by age and good policing. Additionally, Man Utd fans are a pretty well behaved lot. Used to European nights and all.