Young Boys captain blames police for Aston Villa fan scandal

Aston Villa’s 2–1 win over Young Boys on Thursday should have been defined by Donyell Malen’s brace and a strong Europa League showing. Instead, much of the post-match discussion has centred on the chaos in the away end — a flare-up so serious the game was temporarily halted as objects rained down from the visiting supporters. Swiss outlets were blunt in their assessment, labelling the incident a scandal and questioning how things spiralled so quickly.

Yet not everyone in the Young Boys camp chose to lay the blame squarely at the feet of their own fans. Club captain Loris Benito, speaking to Swiss newspaper 20 Minutes, offered a more defensive — and controversial — interpretation of events. His comments have added a new twist to a night that Young Boys would rather forget, and one that Aston Villa will want to place firmly behind them as they prepare for Wolves on 30 November.

Coverage in Switzerland has been broadly condemning. The word “skandal” has featured across multiple headlines, with commentators describing the behaviour as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable”. But Benito’s softer framing introduces a counter-narrative that some observers in Switzerland may latch onto — one that questions police tactics rather than supporter behaviour.

Having followed European away-end incidents over the years, this pattern is familiar: when fans overstep, players often attempt to walk a diplomatic line, acknowledging wrongdoing without alienating their most passionate supporters. In Benito’s case, that line appears particularly thin.

Young Boys players are said to have been frustrated that their attempts to intervene were met with projectiles. Even those who ran over to calm the fans were targeted — an irony not lost on Swiss reporters. Several team officials, while condemning the behaviour, stressed the need for “constructive internal reflection”.

Although some reports suggest Young Boys will impose internal sanctions, other indications point toward a more cautious approach, particularly given Benito’s comments. It’s worth questioning whether the club will take a firm stance, or instead allow the controversy to fade naturally as focus shifts back to domestic fixtures.

In our view, Benito’s attempt to redistribute blame reveals a deeper tension between players and their supporter base. Because captains often act as emotional barometers for the squad, his reluctance to criticise the fans outright suggests a desire to maintain unity during a difficult European campaign. This makes sense culturally — Young Boys rely heavily on their travelling support, and public criticism risks backlash.

However, Benito’s remarks also expose a nuance: while some in Switzerland see the meltdown as an uncontested disgrace, others believe English policing can be overly rigid at European matches. Having covered several Europa League clashes involving Alpine clubs, there is a long-standing perception that Premier League stadium protocols prioritise strict control over collaborative de-escalation.

Still, it’s worth questioning whether this explanation can truly absolve the supporters. Ultimately, projectiles were thrown, players were endangered, and the match was nearly abandoned. Police response is one thing; initial provocation is quite another.

Aston Villa return to Premier League action against Wolves on 30 November, aiming to build momentum after a solid European win overshadowed by off-field drama. Young Boys, meanwhile, may need to address questions surrounding supporter behaviour — and whether any measures will follow Benito’s provocative remarks.

👉 Villa fans — do you buy Benito’s explanation, or were Young Boys supporters solely to blame?