Alwaght- English and Russian Soccer Fans squared up and hurled taunts at one another in Marseille made police use tear gas to disperse them ahead of England’s opening game with Russia.
Bare-chested Supporters who had been drinking for most of the day at pubs in the city threw bottles at French riot police, who used tear gas to disperse them. The officers, who wore full riot gear, were seen marching towards hundreds of England fans who ran away down the street.
French riot police made nine arrests and were involved in a series of pitched battles with England football fans in Marseille.
The clashes came after a first night of violence in the southern French city on Thursday. Police with helmets, batons and shields grappled troublemakers to the ground on Friday night amid beer bottles and rubbish strewn across the cobbled streets.
The second night of violence came in spite of British police forcing a notorious English football hooligan who has received widespread coverage in the French media as a potential agitator to surrender his passport in the UK.
The Football Association said in a statement: “We are really disappointed by the scenes of disorder in Marseille yesterday evening and condemn such behavior. It is in the hands of the authorities to identify those involved and deal with them appropriately.”
“The FA urges supporters who are travelling to Marseille to act in a respectful manner and enjoy the match against Russia.”
The match between England and Russia is set to start tonight at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, at 9pm local, which makes it 8pm in the UK.
Euro 2016, is the 15th edition of the UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Europe organized by UEFA. It is currently being held in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016.
