Fans clash in Marseille ahead of England-Russia Euro 2016 match
Clashes erupted between soccer fans in Marseille Saturday before a Euro 2016 match as French authorities tighten security measures on the streets.
Saturday was the third day in a row that fans clashed in the southern French city ahead of the encounter between England and Russia.
“Police intervened in a clash between English, Russian and French supporters in the Vieux-Port district,” said local police chief Laurent Nunez as reports said security forces fired tear gas at fans fighting in the area.
The match has been tipped as one of the most embarrassing in terms of security and the involvement of hooligans.
However, fan violence has been going on in the port city over the past few days with the English nationals being the noisiest.
The office of state prosecutor said a court was to hear three England fans and a French woman on Saturday as they were charged with acts of violence in Marseille. A total of seven arrests were made on Friday night, including the four, who were reportedly held in custody overnight. They were arrested for throwing bottles and other objects at police. One of them, a minor, was expected to appear before a juvenile judge.
French officials have tried hard to contain the simmering soccer-related violence in Marseille, a city which saw some fierce street battles involving England fans during the 1998 World Cup.
Security has been tight in other cities hosting the games as France is still grappling with threats following deadly attacks in the capital, Paris, in November 2015. The country has also seen almost weekly demonstrations in protest at the Socialist government’s controversial labor reforms.
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