Friday, June 10, 2016

French Police Use Tear Gas On England Fans



An English football fan has been arrested after French police used tear gas on a small group of England supporters caught in a brawl with locals in Marseille.


Police have said two people were arrested - one for assaulting a barman, and the other for violent disorder. One of the men was English and the other a local.

Another England supporter reportedly suffered a head injury after being hit across the face with a wooden chair.

It is understood the confrontation took place outside an English pub in the Old Port district of the city, where England face Russia in their opening Euro 2016 Group B match at the Stade Velodrome on Saturday.

Gendarmes clad in riot gear and accompanied by dogs were deployed on the streets of the southern city after trouble was reported shortly before midnight on Thursday.

Ambulances were seen arriving after police carrying riot shields moved in to separate the two groups, and tear gas was used to clear the area.

Footage of the incident showed men hurling chairs, a fist fight outside a McDonald's restaurant and chanting England fans.

A clip posted on Twitter apparently showed the aftermath of the disorder, as shop workers swept a street strewn with broken glass.

Some reports in English newspapers claim several England fans were heard chanting: "Isis, where are you?". The city of Marseille has a large Muslim population.

UEFA has appealed to fans to "behave respectfully" during Euro 2016.

"UEFA regrets the skirmishes that occurred in Marseille yesterday", said a spokesman.

"We are confident that the safety of travelling fans will be ensured by the local authorities which are responsible for order in the city.

"We make an appeal to all fans to behave respectfully throughout the tournament."

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