PSG ultras sent back to France after weapons and drugs found on board coach

Paris Saint-Germain ultras have been sent back to France after an inspection of their coach discovered knuckle dusters, knives and drugs ahead of a women's Champions League game away to Chelsea.

The supporters - who are already banned from both men's and youth team matches - headed to Kingsmeadow for the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

But events soured on arrival according to BBC reporter Jacqui Oatley, and the supporters were also believed to have 'damaged a door and graffitied the ground before heading in to town' earlier in the day.

Police opted to do a search of the supporters' coach and subsequently denied them access after they discovered weapons and drugs.

According to French publication RMC Sport, around 64 fans were part of the group denied access but there was around 30 that were inside the stadium that were not part of the ultras' travelling party.

Having done an initial check on the coach, the RMC report states that there was then hours of negotiations before it was decided that those on the coach would be sent back to France and would be unable to attend the game.

Those successfully inside Kingsmeadow were part of the PSG London Fan Club.

PSG are looking to challenge last year's winners, and domestic rivals, Lyon in the Champions League this season but face a tough ask over two legs against Chelsea.

Blues defender David Luiz, previously of PSG, was in attendance to take in the highly-anticipated encounter as the French side looked to steal a march away from home in the first leg.

PSG have looked strong so far in the tournament. A 6-1 aggregate win over St Polten in the last 32 was quickly followed up with a 5-2 aggregate win over Linkoping of Sweden in the last 16.