Battle of Marseille: Violent fans hurl missiles, clash with police ahead of Russia-England match

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Battle of Marseille - Violent fans hurl missiles, clash with police ahead of Russia-England match

– Battle of Marseille: Violent fans hurl missiles, clash with police ahead of Russia-England match:

Violence has marred the lead up to Group B opener between England and Russia in the French city of Marseille, with both sets of supporters conducting violent running battles.

Soccer fans clashed with police in Marseille for the second time in two days, ahead of the group’s opening Euro 2016 fixture, while gangs of Russian and English supporters have also doled out violence on each other.

Early reports suggest at least five people have been injured, with police telling BFMTV that one person is in a serious condition following brawls involving around 500 supporters.

One England fan is reportedly in critical condition after sustaining a serious head wound.

The supporter was knocked unconscious in an altercation between Russian “hooligans”, according to La Provence.

A district mayor of the city claims Marseille is in a “full state of emergency.”

Stephane Ravier said the downtown area has effectively been handed over to violent fans who he suggested were engaging in guerilla-like warfare.

Tear gas has also been used by security forces to quell the disruptions caused by supporters in an area known as the Old Port of Marseille.

Footage from the scene show a number of men brawling in the street as riot police rush to break up violent skirmishes.

RT correspondent Eisa Ali says clashes have been ongoing throughout the day, with tear gas being fired outside his hotel. However, the violence seemed to erupt quickly in one area of the district as fans were singing without incident outside bars just minutes before the mayhem.

He said the trouble appears to have started between England supporters and police, although rival Russian fans have now become involved in the chaos.

“There has been tear gas thrown by police and fans throwing bottles at the police. The England fans we spoke to said the police have overreacted, although some fans have admitted that other England fans were throwing bottles at police and provoking them,” he said.

Missiles such as beer bottles, pub tables and chairs are being used as weapons around the port, Reuters reports.

A police water cannon has been sent on to the glass-strewn streets, while pictures emerging on social media show a number of fans with bloodied faces.

Located around 5km from the Stade Vélodrome, where Russia and England play their first Group B game, the Old Port of Marseille has become something of a hooligan battle ground in recent days.

READ MORE: Marseille police spray rowdy fans with tear gas on Euro 2016 opening day

It follows a number of arrests in the city on Friday, when Russian and English fans launched projectiles at each other.

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1 thought on “Battle of Marseille: Violent fans hurl missiles, clash with police ahead of Russia-England match”

  1. Since when has there been an emotional International Football Match without English supporters showing how moronic the English can be?

    Reply

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