French police took to use tear gas and hit out at violent Chelsea fans who were out in Lille for the Champions League game on Wednesday.
Despite an uncertain future, thousands of Blues fans travelled abroad to watch their side in the hope they could book a place in the last eight of the competition.
However, a group of those who made the trip 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, before trouble broke out.
Local police in riot gear were then seen to enter the area and use batons and tear gas on fans, take a look at the clips below….
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Police in full riot gear moved in as a large crowd of Chelsea fans built up outside Les 3 Brasseurs bar, opposite Lille-Flanders station.
As bottles and smoke bombs were thrown, the police fired tear gas cannisters and sent in snatch squads to try and arrest ‘ring leaders’ of the trouble, many of those were drunk and chanting Roman Abramovich’s name.
Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea head coach, has previously hit back at government criticisms of supporters for chanting the name of Abramovich.
After hearing that a Downing Street spokesman had called the chants ‘inappropriate’, Tuchel said: ‘I don’t know if, in these times, it is the most important discussion to have in parliament.
“I don’t know if fan chants being discussed in parliament means we have to worry about the priorities of this government. We have far more urgent things to handle.”
Clashes outside pre match in Lille. Chelsea fans smashed again take on the opposition and intervened with Macrons Police. #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/R1djNV4aSQ
— Lord Simon (@LordSimon20) March 16, 2022
One fan of the Premier League club 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 began around 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 Champions League game itself saw Chelsea advance into the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-1 victory (4-1 on aggregate) over Lille following goals from Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta.
The European champions put in a fine performance to overcome the Ligue 1 club, but did fall behind during the first half when Burak Yilmaz netted from the penalty spot after Jorginho was penalised for handball, however Pulisic crucially equalised in first half added time.
Azpilicueta was then on hand to put the tie beyond doubt with less than 20 minutes remaining by converting a cross from substitute Mason Mount with his knee.
Player ratings:
Lille: Jardim (6), Çelik (6), Fonte (5), Botman (6), Djalo (6), Bamba (6), Andre (6), Xeka (6), Gudmundsson (6), Yilmaz (8), David (6).
Subs: Ben Arfa (6), Gomes (6), Weah (6), Onana (6), Bradaric (6)
Chelsea: Mendy (7), Christensen (6), Thiago Silva (7), Rudiger (7), Azpilicueta (8), Kante (7), Jorginho (7), Kovacic (6), Alonso (7), Pulisic (8), Havertz (7).
Subs: Chalobah (6), Mount (7), Loftus-Cheek (6), Lukaku (6), Ziyech (n/a).
Man of the match: Cesar Azpilicueta
Tuchel praised his side’s focus after their latest – and best – victory amid the off-field troubles at Chelsea.
“Brilliant, brilliant and so nice so many fans are here to support the team,” he told BT Sport. “We’re in the quarter-finals, it’s a big step and we showed again resilience and mentality, and overcame difficulties. We did what was necessary, dug in and got a deserved win. It’s difficult here [at Lille], well done to the team.
“Chelsea has this kind of culture within the club and the building where we work every day. What I found from day one is this football-first mentality. Everybody pushes the first team every three days to the limit and is focused on football first.
“This is the culture and it is already installed, and this helps us now to focus when the times are difficult, distracted because it’s already there – we don’t need to install it now.
“Of course, we encourage the players and I feel a part of all of this but I’m just a part and that’s why it feels so good that we can still produce results. I’m very proud.”
Social media users reacted as videos emerged of French police having to use tear gas and hit Chelsea fans in Lille…
Lille Chelsea pic.twitter.com/W4LNf88XHx
— Peter Allen (@peterallenparis) March 16, 2022
@ChelseaChris26: This is why I don’t go abroad to watch Chelsea play anymore
@LythyNo1: The Police turn up looking for trouble in Lille, don’t think Chelsea fans are doing themselves any favours there though
@Carlwilks2011: Vile human beings who never learn and have no respect for human life. I feel for the genuine Chelsea fans, but not but these idiots.
@TheJohnDennis: If they’re not publicly singing about their support of Abramovich they’re up to this: “Chelsea fans caught up in violence as French police use batons and tear gas in Lille.” Smarten your act up!
@PhilJonesy3: Complete dirtbags.
@fawltyowls: Classy Chelsea yobs
@Robbo_the_rhino: Let’s not just ban them from buying away tickets until the club is sold let’s ban them permanently
@3Mutley: And they wonder why they are the most despised club in the country. No class as usual.
@TheBearCPFC: Can’t believe the heavy handedness of the police over in France towards the Chelsea fans, don’t know how that fan base has got that sort of reputation to be treated that way, truly shocked…….
@croissantlove12: No smoke without fire. The police isn’t just going to look for Chelsea fans to throw tear gas at them. Must have had a few bellends there who started it or retaliated
@parrisgra5: Horrific club and horrific fans. Pathetic. No sympathy for them whatsoever.
@LfcPicasso: WORST FANS ON THE PLANET!!! LOVE EVERYTHING THATS HAPPENING TO THAT GOD AWFUL CLUB. The Rangers of England.
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