GOT World Exclusive - video footage of the Lille police incident - CONTAINS BAD LANGUAGE

[davmaher]

Just got back from Lille. We weren't in the Grand Place when the trouble kicked off yesterday but the atmosphere overall was great. I bought the local paper this morning to check their version of the day and was pleasantly pleased by what they reported. They said the incident on Wednesday night where Everton fans were attacked was completely unprovoked and all responsibility for it rested with the Lille hooligans. They were extremely complimentary about our fans overall saying that the city had been turned into a sea of blue from 8 yesterday morning and that apart from the one incident yesterday had been a very peaceful one. For the incident in the Grand Place, they laid most of the blame onto the police. They had a photo where they showed the under cover police going in with batons. They said that their sources had told them that there were some plain clothes Merseyside police in the square also, who had told the local under cover guys that they had seen one guy who was a known convicted football hooligan who was under a restraint order for attending football matches and another guy who was a known drug dealer. On this information the French police decided to go in to make arrests. The rest was almost inevitable.
Another thing they mentioned was that the local mayor had asked for no shops or supermarkets to sell alcohol on the day of the game and for police to confiscate any alcohol being consumed in the city centre. The shop-keepers decided to ignore this as they thought it would cause more problems than it solved. The police also decided to ignore it as they thought it could cause problems for them.
Given that this was reported in the local equivalent of the Daily Post and that they were so complimentary about our fans says a lot about how the issues seem to have been reported over here.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

CRP used to wait in Paris, for fans changing trains after Internationals & European games to get themselves a bit of action if there had been any incidents where the fans had been.

That was in late 70's & 80's like but it seems they 'because they were there yesterday' wanted a bit of action so got themselves some.

 

[bizzaro]

Lille police have been at it again today. Heavy handed and threatening to cs gas evertonians who they've wound up by holding and making them miss the Eurostar back home.
You wouldn't believe this could happen in a so called civilised country but sadly we know the French would have no qualms gassing a main train station and everyone in it.

Its a sadistic tactic that. Throwing in tear gas then locking the doors.

Police have been specifically warned not to use tear gas in enclosed spaces too.


It seems that France has a major police problem with using pepper spray, CS gas and tear gas first and ask questions later.


http://www.heritagerailway.co.uk/news/outrage-after-tear-gas-used-on-steam-train-protestors

This is from 2011 when one of the police just starts spraying people point blank (something that is usually reserved for hyper violent offenders and theirs a risk of serious injury or to life).


Quite clearly there was no real aggression until the police created it.


Would not of happened in the UK. I doubt anyone could see Merseyside police using tear gas on goodison road or outside the bullens.

 

[maccavennie]

Just got back from Lille. We weren't in the Grand Place when the trouble kicked off yesterday but the atmosphere overall was great. I bought the local paper this morning to check their version of the day and was pleasantly pleased by what they reported. They said the incident on Wednesday night where Everton fans were attacked was completely unprovoked and all responsibility for it rested with the Lille hooligans. They were extremely complimentary about our fans overall saying that the city had been turned into a sea of blue from 8 yesterday morning and that apart from the one incident yesterday had been a very peaceful one. For the incident in the Grand Place, they laid most of the blame onto the police. They had a photo where they showed the under cover police going in with batons. They said that their sources had told them that there were some plain clothes Merseyside police in the square also, who had told the local under cover guys that they had seen one guy who was a known convicted football hooligan who was under a restraint order for attending football matches and another guy who was a known drug dealer. On this information the French police decided to go in to make arrests. The rest was almost inevitable.
Another thing they mentioned was that the local mayor had asked for no shops or supermarkets to sell alcohol on the day of the game and for police to confiscate any alcohol being consumed in the city centre. The shop-keepers decided to ignore this as they thought it would cause more problems than it solved. The police also decided to ignore it as they thought it could cause problems for them.
Given that this was reported in the local equivalent of the Daily Post and that they were so complimentary about our fans says a lot about how the issues seem to have been reported over here.

Great post mate and good to hear their papers are reporting the truth.

 

[Reidy's Bottle Of Grecian]

@GrandOldTeam quoted on here...
http://www.thelocal.fr/20141023/french-riot-cops-clash-with-english-fans-in-lille

and....
The police were also criticized by French Twitter users with one asking how will France be able to host the Euro2016 football tournament when they can't deal with "6,000 English fans who travelled peacefully".


maximeb7 @maximeb7
Follow
@TheLocalFrance @1DarrenTulett comment va t-on faire l'@EURO2016 si on ne sait pas gérer 6000 supp anglais qui se déplacent tranquillement?

3:59 PM - 23 Oct 2014

 

[BoysInBlue]

@HansTours writing on Twitter that one of the fellas on her coach was a 69 year old man left with a broken arm after being hit by one of the baton wielding cops. This 69 year old man was very clearly not a hooligan of any type.

 

[Donald Twain]

Can't believe anyone thinks this incident is anything other than the French taking another opportunity to give it to the English ! Ask any English fans who travel throughout Europe and the French authorities are always the same .

 

[paulbefc]

Just arrived back and am glad to hear that what I saw is the story that most people have been giving. Slightly spoiled what was otherwise a fantastic day on the square. We were on the other side of the fountain at the time and watched the whole thing happen. Barring a few idiots throwing bottles (could possibly count the culprits on one hand), I thought the way our fans reacted to the situation was great. The locals had been loving the atmosphere and singing, often filming it and generally getting a kick out of it up to then. It really was great. Not a hint of trouble until the under-cover police waded in (I was one the square from 10-11 in the morning).

By 4-5 the place was back to bouncing again though and the positive atmosphere was back and for me that was the best part of the trip.

Seemed a completely idiotic thing for the police to do though. They could have had worse problems if they'd done that with different fans. Luckily it seems we're good sorts, generally.

 

[loooweee]

I really really really hope Everton fans don't do anything so stupid when Lille visit

 

[Portland Toffee]

I really really really hope Everton fans don't do anything so stupid when Lille visit

I doubt it, seems their was good banter between both sets on the whole. I doubt the trouble causes will travel. Also, wonder how many they will bring?

 

[bizzaro]

Having done a bit of research

It appears these were mobile gendarmerie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_Gendarmerie

Those in the square were not CRS since they didn't have red patches. But since 2009 they've been almost brought to the point of being merged.

Both have significant background of escalating none violent incidents to violence. (In 2009, 7 CRS were jailed for gassing and beating up teenagers outside a nightclub - whilst themselves under the influence of alcohol).



Its ironic. Three days ago they said

http://m.lavoixdunord.fr/region/match-de-foot-losc-everton-plus-de-800-policiers-ia19b0n2451526

The safety around the LOSC-Everton match on Thursday will be colossal. More than 800 police officers, including 500 CRS and gendarmes will be deployed in the city center of Lille as well as stage-Pierre Mauroy and its surroundings. Approximately 7,500 English fans are expected.

The city center of Lille, as the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq and its surroundings, have the appearance of a fortified camp on Thursday. The goal avoid overflow at the Europa League match Lille-Everton, which kick off will be given to 19 h. A heavy security is expected to guide the influx of 7,500 England supporters club based in Liverpool. " We have rarely seen so many visitors for a match against Lille , "says a police officer.Most Everton fans will arrive this Thursday morning at Lille.

According to the prefecture, between 800 and 850 members of security forces will be mobilized. Among them, about 500 CRS and gendarmes. Two pitchers of water will come into action when needed. A police helicopter equipped with a camera is ready to take off.Twelve riders equestrian brigade will be on the ground.Finally, four English police will be present to identify individuals at risk.

So effectively they were gearing up for a war zone rather than a football match.

The authorities want to avoid repeating the place on the day of the match Lille-PSV Eindhoven scenario , in February 2011 Many Dutch fans had descended beers in the city center of Lille, on the terraces or in the street for hours. Violent incidents were then burst on the Grand-Place and the pedestrian streets.

So what has happened is they've instead of having colossal security its been a colossal mess up.

They've geared up for a war due to experience with PSV (nothing to do with Everton) and their quick willingness to jump in with battons and tear gas and rubber bullets

Then the media fabrication of "rioters" reports to justify unjustified use of force

Creates a self fulfilling prophesy.

http://m.lavoixdunord.fr/region/match-de-foot-losc-everton-ce-jeudi-7500-supporters-ia19b0n2450038

In the days prior to the game Everton's fans are being reported in almost a threatening manner. Continued references to the PSV game three years ago (nothing to do with Everton).

On the ground, a large-scale police operation will be deployed mainly in Lille and Pierre Mauroy stage or its surroundings. The exact number of agents mobilized is not yet known, but according to our information, there should be about 500 CRS , supported by effective public security units specializing in the fight against hooligans in stadiums (CRS Section Quick Response) and twelve riders equestrian brigade. Some English officers will also be present.

Their entire attitude from top to bottom was wrong from the outset and caused the issues. There was a presumption of guilt before and instead of "firm but fair" all you hear is that they have riot police on the way.


Euro 2016 is going to be a disaster. These people are completely out of their depth and too quick to wade in with battons + tear gas instead of having officers in the crowds talking to fans.

 

[BoysInBlue]

Excellent post @bizzaro You should send that to Everton and/or Joe Anderson.

One thing I will say though is the 9 plain clothes police that ran in first with the batons - at first they didn't have red armbands on, but as soon as the first can was thrown at them, they suddenly put red arm bands on. The videos I posted showed that, and the still photo that @GrandOldTeam posted shows that too.

 

[sageyefc]

Excellent post @bizzaro You should send that to Everton and/or Joe Anderson.

One thing I will say though is the 9 plain clothes police that ran in first with the batons - at first they didn't have red armbands on, but as soon as the first can was thrown at them, they suddenly put red arm bands on. The videos I posted showed that, and the still photo that @GrandOldTeam posted shows that too.

Have you sent your video to the club or to joe anderson. Hope this doesnt get brushed aside

 

[bluegirl]

I really really really hope Everton fans don't do anything so stupid when Lille visit

Agree, we don't need to lower to them. To be honest I don't think they'll be any trouble though. I was in the square and have to say how well behaved everyone was. Them unmarked police came from no where and threw grenades and fired tear gas out of canisters into areas where kids were. I was to busy singing, some guy comes up and says you better move away, before I knew it we were coughing up and surrounded by tear gas. Lucky only a handful reacted, else it could have been really really messy.

 

[potato]

Just got back from Lille. We weren't in the Grand Place when the trouble kicked off yesterday but the atmosphere overall was great. I bought the local paper this morning to check their version of the day and was pleasantly pleased by what they reported. They said the incident on Wednesday night where Everton fans were attacked was completely unprovoked and all responsibility for it rested with the Lille hooligans. They were extremely complimentary about our fans overall saying that the city had been turned into a sea of blue from 8 yesterday morning and that apart from the one incident yesterday had been a very peaceful one. For the incident in the Grand Place, they laid most of the blame onto the police. They had a photo where they showed the under cover police going in with batons. They said that their sources had told them that there were some plain clothes Merseyside police in the square also, who had told the local under cover guys that they had seen one guy who was a known convicted football hooligan who was under a restraint order for attending football matches and another guy who was a known drug dealer. On this information the French police decided to go in to make arrests. The rest was almost inevitable.
Another thing they mentioned was that the local mayor had asked for no shops or supermarkets to sell alcohol on the day of the game and for police to confiscate any alcohol being consumed in the city centre. The shop-keepers decided to ignore this as they thought it would cause more problems than it solved. The police also decided to ignore it as they thought it could cause problems for them.
Given that this was reported in the local equivalent of the Daily Post and that they were so complimentary about our fans says a lot about how the issues seem to have been reported over here.

what if he was just in lille on holiday?