Euro 2016 riots: England fan in critical condition after Marseille chaos

One fan is in a critical condition and 20 more suffered glass-inflicted injuries in a third day of Russia-England chaos.

An injured England fan in Marseille. Picture: AFP

French riot police deployed repeated doses of tear gas and a water cannon to try to regain control between marauding gangs and rioting football fans ahead of the England and Russia opening Euro 2016 match in Marseille this morning.

One British supporter is in a critical condition and 20 more fans suffered glass-inflicted injuries, many to the head, after a third day of rioting between rival Russian and English fans has left the Old Port part of the town in chaos. Another English fan suffered a heart attack. French police said six people have been arrested.

Reporters on the ground have spoken of Russian fans, some wearing helmets, and carrying knives and broken bottles attacking innocent supporters. One person was shown on television wielding a chair knocking down a man walking down stairs and then once on the ground smashing the chair into his head.

Local French media report the fracas between the Russians and English was also inflamed by some local Marseille gangs. Several fans were seen walking the area dazed with blood pouring from head injuries.

French police attempted to separate the 80,000 supporters with designated separate routes to approach the Stade Velodrome but troublemakers clashed in a fiery, flare, chair and bottle throwing exchange just hours before the kick-off.

Over the past two days there has been a series of violent outbreaks and many hotels and shops closed their doors. Clouds of tear gas enveloped the area as police attempted to regain some semblance of order.

Fans in the stadium starting fighting just as the final whistle blew after Russia came back to earn a 1-1 draw with England.

Eric Dier gave England the lead with a 73rd-minute curling free kick but says “our emotions went from a high to a low pretty quickly” when Vasily Berezutsky scored for Russia.

UEFA will open disciplinary proceedings over the violence in Marseille, with Russia facing the stronger sanctions after its fans attacked England supporters in the stadium.

A large group of Russian fans in one of the stands behind the goal advanced on England supporters in the neighboring area, throwing objects and breaking through a line of stewards. England fans fled for the exits.

When UEFA’s disciplinary panel judges the latest incident in Marseille, it could take Russian fans’ track record of violence into account, including at Euro 2012 when stadium security staff were attacked in Poland.

- with AP