Marseille mayhem
England fans left fighting for life after Euro 2016 violence
IT could have been a scene from any time during the worst years of football hooliganism.
The fan draped in an England flag on a debris-strewn street, strutting defiantly as a mob of supporters gathers nearby.
The only thing that points to the fact this isn’t some flashback from the 1980s is the smartphone clutched in his hand.
Amid such scenes of chaos in Marseille two English fans were left fighting for their lives and at least 11 were injured, as clashes raged before and after the game. It was the third day of clashes. Eyewitnesses described how fist fights and bottle-throwing broke out between English and Russian supporters before the two countries’ Euro 2016 1-1 draw.
The scuffles left broken glass everywhere, with police resorting to tear gas and water cannons. Chairs from bars and cafes were smashed and used as weapons, while car windscreens were shattered.
Fans were seen being beaten to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the head, while horrifying images emerged of an England fan being given CPR by paramedics.
The Provence newspaper reported: “An England supporter is between life and death. The man who is in his 50s, who received blows to the head, is in a critical condition. He suffered a number of injuries.”
There were further shocking scenes inside Marseille’s Stade Velodrome at the end of the tie, with one BBC reporter describing the scenes as the worst he’d ever seen inside a stadium.
Just before the end of the game white flares were lit in the Russian end, followed by a green rocket which went over England goalkeeper Joe Hart’s goal.
This was followed by a loud bang and then a red firework.
Russian hooligans then hurled objects at England fans before charging them, trampling on women and children as they went.
Supporters were seen jumping over fences to get to safety.
In past incidents of football violence, “Ultras” have attempted to steal the flags and even shirts of opposition fans as “trophies of war”.
This seemed to be happening after last night’s final whistle.
The scenes in the stadium raise serious questions about French security at a time when the country is on high alert after November’s terrorist attacks on Paris.
Spectators reported seeing stewards in the ground at the end of the game, but no police officers.
Marseille police chief Laurent Nunez said of the pre-game disturbances: “Disorder broke out at about 18.30 at the Old Port. Hundreds of football supporters,
mainly English, had gathered there and confronted the riot police. The situation deteriorated when rival hooligans from Russia arrived. Police officers had to separate the gangs of English and Russian.
“Certain members of these groups were arrested, including seven England supporters.”
One middle-aged England fan was knocked unconscious after the Russian hooligans, some wielding knives, charged at the England supporters. He was kicked and punched to the ground.
His friend said: “He got knocked to the ground and kicked in the head for nothing. He was not doing anything when some lads attacked him – French, Russian, I don’t know who they were. Then the police charged.
“They always seem to blame the England fans but we didn’t do anything.”
Fans’ representatives also moved to defend the English supporters, blaming policing tactics and the Russian hooligans.
Dave Tomlinson, from the Football Supporters’ Federation, said it was “disappointing to see any problems” involving England supporters.
He added: “We understand from reports it was a small minority of England fans that were involved.”
Reporters told of bottles being thrown and described the situation as “pretty terrifying”, with bloodied England fans being dragged away by police, to the sound of sirens.
The violence echoed the dreadful scenes from the France 1998 World Cup when English fans clashed with local hooligans in what became known as the Battle of Marseille.
The Football Association said in a statement: “We are really disappointed by the scenes and condemn such behaviour.
“It is in the hands of the authorities to identify those involved and deal with them.”