Violence Erupts In Marseille After England And Russia Tie 1-1 In Euro 2016 Tournament

Scores of English and Russian football fans soccer fans clashed in Marseille, France on Saturday in a third consecutive day of play at the Euro 2016 Championship.

Violence Erupts In Marseille After England And Russia Tie

Following a 1-1 draw between Russia and England at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, fans from both teams began brawling, leading police in riot gear to fire tear gas in order to disperse crowds. Fighting began before the game, but escalated afterward, and some fans even began hurling bottles and other objects at policeman.

Russian fans also charged at the section where their British counterparts sat as the chaos unfolded. Smoke began filling the streets as some terrified fans fled.

At least 31 people were injured in the melee, four of them critically, said Mathieu Duroselle, a spokesman for Marseille police. The number included three officers who suffered slight injuries, he added.

At least 17 people were also arrested over the course of two days, local police stated Saturday.

After the French Interior Ministry classified the England vs Russia match as “at risk,” the French deployed extra security reinforcements.

“About 1,000 police officers were deployed to secure the game,” Duroselle said. “The situation seems calm now by the stadium and it seems like bars are closed.”

The Union of European Football Associations stated they will make an announcement Sunday regarding disciplinary proceedings. This could entail sanctions and even potentially disqualification for one of the two countries, or for both.

“People engaging in such violent acts have no place in football,” said the UEFA, the administrative body for association football in Europe.

French authorities also forced Britain to retain the passports of thousands of people considered hooligans and stop them from entering France during the tournament.

Article by Pablo Mena