Police use tear gas to disperse soccer fans
At least one arrest made in most recent crackdown on Euro 2016 violence
LILLE, FRANCE— French police used tear gas to disperse English soccer fans at the European Championship on Wednesday, the fourth time England fans have been involved in violent incidents since the start of the tournament.
After a match between Russia and Slovakia ended in the northern French city of Lille, police chased large groups of English fans through the back streets around the city’s main railway station.
A group of about 200 English fans had been getting progressively rowdier and noisier, singing songs taunt- ing Russia, when a loud explosion was heard and some bottles were thrown.
Police appeared to make at least one arrest, pinning a man against the ground. Police then charged, spraying tear gas in front of them as they ran. Some bystanders took refuge in a nearby pharmacy.
England plays Wales in the nearby city of Lens on Thursday, and thousands of its supporters have gathered in Lille.
The repercussions to violence in the southern city of Marseille last week involving English and Russian supporters continued on Wednesday.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the French ambassador to protest against the detention of Russian soccer fans in southern France.
The ministry said the decision by the Marseille prosecutor to hold the Russians for 48 hours pending inves- tigation was “discriminatory.” It warned that “further fanning of antiRussian sentiments over our team’s participation in the European Championship could significantly strain the atmosphere of Russian-French ties.”
The Russians were detained Tuesday near Nice as they were heading by bus to Lille for Wednesday’s match against Slovakia. Local authorities said police stopped the fans to see whether any hooligans were among them.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Moscow hoped UEFA will give equal treatment to all those responsible for fan violence.
The French police action in Lille followed violent clashes between Russia and England fans in Marseille before their European Championship opener, a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
Russia lost to Slovakia 2-1 on Wednesday.
In Lille, Russian and Slovakian fans stayed clear of trouble as they left the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and returned to the city centre after their match.
Setting off a flare in the final 10 minutes of the game was the only notable example of misbehaviour by Russian fans. The incident could still be costly for the Russian federation. It had been warned that it would be if fans were to cause any more trouble after unrest at their team’s match against England last Saturday in Marseille.
The match unfurled in the same peaceful atmosphere in the quiet night and the final hours before kickoff, when dozens of Russian and Slovakian fans were peacefully walking the streets in the Villeneuve d’Ascq area, a 10-minute walk from the stadium. Euro 2016: Tournament coverage on S3