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| Everton fans 'hit with tear gas' in Lille before Europa League game | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Everton fans have been reportedly hit by tear gas fired by police in the main square in Lille ahead of their Europa League match in the city. | |
| Images have appeared on Twitter of fans of the Merseyside club congregated in Grand Place square. | Images have appeared on Twitter of fans of the Merseyside club congregated in Grand Place square. |
| Everton subsequently sent out a message to fans to stay away from the area amid reports of a flare-up involving police. | Everton subsequently sent out a message to fans to stay away from the area amid reports of a flare-up involving police. |
| Another picture showed what appeared to be blue smoke from flares. Ticketless fans had been warned to avoid the area. | |
| French authorities had banned Everton fans without tickets from the city centre. | |
| Earlier this week, a statement on Everton's website advised supporters without tickets they would not be allowed to enter sections of the city, including the area around the stadium between 10.00 and 17:00 BST. | Earlier this week, a statement on Everton's website advised supporters without tickets they would not be allowed to enter sections of the city, including the area around the stadium between 10.00 and 17:00 BST. |
| On Wednesday night two Everton fans suffered facial injuries after about 50 Lille supporters, armed with metal chairs, attacked them in a city centre bar. | On Wednesday night two Everton fans suffered facial injuries after about 50 Lille supporters, armed with metal chairs, attacked them in a city centre bar. |
| Merseyside Police said the fans had since been discharged from a local hospital. | Merseyside Police said the fans had since been discharged from a local hospital. |
| Everton FC added: "This was the only incident in what was otherwise a good-natured evening in the city centre." | Everton FC added: "This was the only incident in what was otherwise a good-natured evening in the city centre." |
| Mike Cleave, who lives in the Wirral, is in Lille with friends and has tickets for the match. | |
| He said Everton fans were playing football in the main square, but that "it was all well-natured". | |
| However, he said "everyone" was saying police were being "hard-handed" and that they threw two tear gas canisters. | |
| Mr Cleave said he did not witness police throw the canisters, but did see two "explosions" from a side road. | |
| Groups of fans then dispersed because they did not want tear gas in their eyes, he said. | |
| Are you in the area? Have you been caught up in events? Share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |