PSV can count on new UEFA punishment after riots in Lens

PSV left France on Tuesday night with a bad feeling. The undefeated leader of the Eredivisie hoped in advance for more than a draw in the meeting with RC Lens (1-1) in the Champions League.

In addition, PSV must take into account a new penalty from UEFA.

A year after the disturbances at Arsenal, things went wrong again. Two hours before the start of the match against Lens, riots broke out, first in the city and then at the stadium. The police intervened with batons and tear gas, among other things. During halftime, PSV fans tore down many chairs and threw them, as well as some pieces of fireworks, into an adjacent section with Lens supporters. Lens fans threw the chairs back. In an initial report after the riots, the French police reported 24 minor injuries.

“That’s always annoying, you don’t want to see these kinds of things. It’s a small group that does that. They ruin it for the others,” said PSV striker Luuk de Jong, who only heard about the events afterwards. “If we have to play away games without fans, that will also affect the players.”

Not good

PSV is not in a good position at UEFA after last season. Eindhoven supporters then caused destruction and threw objects after the away match against Arsenal in the Europa League. UEFA punished PSV by playing one away match without fans, at the Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt. PSV also had to pay a fine of 40,000 euros and consult with Arsenal about compensation for the damage.

At the end of February, during the home match against Sevilla, also in the Europa League, a PSV supporter attacked the goalkeeper of the Spanish club on the field in the Philips stadium. During the first European home game of this season, in the preliminary rounds against Sturm Graz, part of the stands behind the goal had to remain empty. The fine for PSV this time amounted to 20,000 euros.

PSV will play against Lens again in two weeks, then in Eindhoven. The meeting with Seville will follow in Spain on Wednesday, November 29. PSV closes the group stage of the Champions League against Arsenal on Tuesday, December 12.