Rennes have released a club statement condemning the handling of their supporters by Spanish police forces on Thursday.
Stade Rennais played Villarreal away at La Ceramica for the second matchday of the Europa League’s Group F. Bruno Genesio’s team were handed their first defeat of the season with Sweden international Alexander Sorloth scoring the only goal of the game. Martin Terrier missed a penalty in injury time for his return.
Before the game, video footage emerged on social media showing several incidents involving Rennes supporters and Spanish police forces. The Ligue 1 side did not let this slide and mentioned they had gathered numerous testimonies as well as findings from the security teams on scene. Several Rennes-based reporters who covered the game added that police forces intentionally created a climate of tension. “Stade Rennais FC express outrage regarding the handling of their supporters before and during the game between Stade Rennais and Villarreal CF“, the statement reads.
It was reported that nearly 1,000 Rennes fans traveled to Spain to watch their favorite team. Unfortunately, the Spanish police forces seem to have ruined the party for too many of them, mostly during the Rennes fans’ gathering near La Ceramica. “The atmosphere was particularly festive and good-natured, without any form of aggression. Despite this, from 6:30 pm to 9:45 pm, the Rouge et Noir community was confronted with brutal and intimidating behavior from certain police forces.”
Rennes will host Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday evening.
