Dozens of England fans injured in Euro 2016 running battles

By Nehanda Radio On Jun 11, 2016 509

England fans have been embroiled in fresh clashes with police and rival supporters in Marseille ahead of the team’s opening match of Euro 2016.

The supporter is tended to by a friend as another man beckons to the authorities for help after the attack by Russian fans in Marseille

An English fan is led away by plain clothed police amid disgraceful scenes in Marseille before England's opening Euro 2016 match — An English fan is led away by plain clothed police amid disgraceful scenes in Marseille before England’s opening Euro 2016 match

Police fire tear gas at the charging supporters as they tried to disperse fans who had gathered in large numbers in the Old Port

A topless England fan hurls a bottle towards police personnel as supporters clashed amid disgraceful and horrifying scenes in Marseille

The England fans hurled bottles at the opposition supporters as the atmosphere turned violent ahead of the match this evening

It was a scene of chaos on the Marseille streets prior to England's Group B match against Russia today as the two sets of fans clashed — It was a scene of chaos on the Marseille streets prior to England’s Group B match against Russia today as the two sets of fans clashed

The same fan is led away by police following the clashes with Russian hooligans in the Old Port District in Marseille today

The England fan - soaked in blood - is put in a police van as police tried to quell the violence that has overshadowed tonight's match — The England fan – soaked in blood – is put in a police van as police tried to quell the violence that has overshadowed tonight’s match

There were England and Russian fans seen fighting for the third successive day this afternoon, ahead of their opening game of Euro 2016

A bloodied English fan is detained by police after supporters clashed with Russian hooligans in Marseille this evening

A chair was thrown through the air as violence continue to overshadow England's opening match of the Euro 2016 tournament — A chair was thrown through the air as violence continue to overshadow England’s opening match of the Euro 2016 tournament

English and Russian fans squared off with one another as trouble continue to flare in Marseille's Old Port district this afternoon — English and Russian fans squared off with one another as trouble continue to flare in Marseille’s Old Port district this afternoon

An England fan has CPR performed on him by riot police after he suffers head injuries caused by Russian fans on the third day of violence in Marseille

Tear gas was fired at English fans in the Old Port district as police battled to separate the two sets of supporters

A group of topless English supporters gesture at the Russian fans as riot police had to separate the two sets of rival fans

An English fan is detained by French security personnel in Marseille as the square was left resembling a war zone

An English fan was knocked unconscious following the attack on the supporters by Russian football hooligans

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An England fan clashes with police in Marseille as violence in the city entered its third day - England play Russia in their first game later — An England fan clashes with police in Marseille as violence in the city entered its third day – England play Russia in their first game later

A chair is hurled at riot police officers as violence between warring supporters continues into the night on the streets of Marseille

A cafe is engulfed in flames as English fans were targeted while drinking on the terrace of cafe on the streets of Marseille last night

Battle of Marseille: England fans clashed with police and local gangs after a match against Tunisia during France '98 World Cup — Battle of Marseille: England fans clashed with police and local gangs after a match against Tunisia during France ’98 World Cup

The latest violence follows two nights of trouble in the coastal city.

Police used tear gas for a third day on Saturday, as footage also showed bottles being thrown and bloodied fans being given medical treatment.

Labour’s Andy Burnham said England fans’ behaviour was “embarrassing” given the terrorism threat to France.

BBC News correspondent Nick Eardley, who is at the scene on Saturday, said bottles were being thrown “every couple of minutes” and described the situation as “pretty terrifying”, as fans also fought with Russian supporters.

Six arrested

He said he had witnessed bloodied England fans being “dragged away by police”, to the sound of sirens blaring out across the city’s main square.

A water cannon was also used by police to control the outbreaks of violence.

Police told the BBC that six people had been arrested and five had been injured during the scuffles.

Local police chief Laurent Nunez told AFP news agency: “Police intervened in a clash between English, Russian and French supporters in the Vieux-Port district.”

Some British journalists in the area have described the shocking scenes on social media, and pointed the finger at a gang of black-clad Russian hooligans, who they said had entered the port city’s main square from a side street seeking violence.

Fans are in the southern port city ahead of England’s game against Russia at the Stade Velodrome, which kicks off at 20:00 BST. The team’s following two matches – against Wales on Thursday and Slovakia on 20 June – will be played in Lens and St Etienne. BBC