Gent fans “threw chairs” and “ripped up banners” in the stands at Stamford Bridge as their side fell to a 4-2 defeat to Chelsea in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Chelsea and Gent supporters were at loggerheads from time to time in the affair, with them having verbal confrontations across spells on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
Gent Fans Seen Vandalizing Stamford Bridge During Game Against Chelsea
Images flying around after the UEFA Europa Conference League tie showed Gent fans throwing seats as well as ripping up banners attached to the stands at Stamford Bridge.
The vociferous fans were also seen chanting loudly before Chelsea fans responded to their counterparts’ celebration of holding their phones aloft with the torch on by reprising their actions.
Chelsea supporters mocked the Gent contingent by doing the same gesture with their devices after their team scored.
Gent Fans Heat Up The Stamford Bridge Environment Before Kick-off
The distasteful scenes in the stadium stemed from a hectic atmosphere created ahead of the UEFA Europa Conference League clash.
Gent fans were seen bringing the area around the stadium to a standstill as they marched along the roads.
They also lit flares and chanted at passersby in Parsons Green and Fulham as they immersed themselves in the mood for the huge game at Stamford Bridge on October 3, 2024.
Police didn’t want to meddle in the matter, and they watched the Gent fans put on their theatrical displays as they flocked to Stamford Bridge.
Supporters were also seen waving their scarves above their heads and dancing in the middle of the road as cyclists tried to weave between the various members of the crowd and buses were brought to a complete halt.
It is unknown if UEFA will hand punishments to the parties involved in the unpleasant scenes.
Chelsea
Chelsea commenced their 2024/25 UEFA Europa Conference League outing on an impressive note, securing a 4-2 win over Gent as earlier indicated.
The Blues went ahead in the 12th minute, courtesy of a goal from Renato Veiga, while Pedro Neto (46’), Christopher Nkunku (63’), and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (70’) were the other scorers on the night for the Stamford Bridge side.
Gent got their consolation goals through Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Omri Gandelman in the 50th and 90th minute respectively.
The victory pushed Chelsea to 6th on the UEFA Europa Conference League’s League table, having amassed 3 points from one game and with a +2 goal difference.
Speaking after the game, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca shared that there is room for improvement despite their impressive display against Gent.
He said: “Every game is complicated. We have many things we can do better – attack better, defend better.”
The game was an opportunity for a second-string Blues setup to prove their mettle to Maresca and the Italian tactician certainly would have been impressed with some of his players.
Enzo Maresca’s side return to action on Sunday, October 6, 2024, facing Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, as they look to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to 7 matches.
Chelsea sit 4th on the Premier League table, with 13 points from 6 matches, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 1.
