PSV is ‘deeply ashamed’ of the events of Tuesday evening in France. During halftime of the Champions League match against RC Lens, supporters of the Eindhoven club tore down chairs and threw them, together with some pieces of fireworks, into a section with Lens fans.
“Although we are in contact with all supporter groups in the run-up to this match, things still go wrong during half-time,” says a spokesperson. “We put a lot of energy and time into continuing to talk to supporters’ associations and then a small group spoils it. We are now investigating together with the French authorities. The images have been requested and if we see who they are, we will crack down on the perpetrators.”
The match in Lens ended in a 1-1 draw. PSV striker and captain Luuk de Jong indicated immediately afterwards that he was disappointed by the behavior of rioting PSV supporters in Lens. “That’s always annoying. You don’t want to see things like this. It’s a small group that does that. They ruin it for the others,” he said.
Fear of new punishment
PSV is not doing very well at UEFA. The Eindhoven club was punished a year ago after disturbances at Arsenal. The club then had to play a European away match without an audience and was fined. PSV is preparing for the away match against Sevilla and now has to fear another punishment.
“If we have to play away games without fans, that will also affect the players,” De Jong said. “The last matches went well, as it should go,” the club spokesman said on Wednesday. According to her, the club had warned fans to behave in Lens. “Also because fans have already arranged a trip to Seville. We said: ‘Don’t ruin it’.”
Thursday consultation in Eindhoven
It was still quiet in Lens on Tuesday afternoon. Riots broke out two hours before the start of the match. According to the French police, 24 people were slightly injured.
“On Thursday morning, all security people will meet in Eindhoven, some of them are still in France,” the club also indicates.
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