There have been further disturbances in the French city of Lille overnight where thousands of football fans from different sides have converged as they follow their respective teams in the 2016 euro…
ADVERTISEMENTThere have been further disturbances in the French city of Lille overnight where thousands of football fans from different sides have converged as they follow their respective teams in the 2016 euro tournament.
Just after midnight English fans reportedly began chasing locals celebrating France’s earlier victory over Albania.
A flash point seems to have been a bar in the city centre where police charged a group using tear gas and pepper spray. At least 36 people were arrested and 16 others were hospitalised.
One fan complained that although things were rowdy the police response had been heavy handed.
This is the scene ten mins before police charge. #FRA fan with flare celebrating with #ENG fans #Lille#EURO2016pic.twitter.com/CgDUhbO09X
— Ball Street (@BallStreet) June 15, 2016
England and Wales supporters are in the city ahead of the teams’ match in nearby Lens later today while Russian and Slovakian fans were also there after their match in at the city’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The authorities had flooded the city to try and avoid a repeat of the violence that marred the England-Russia match in Marseille on Saturday.
The Russian football team have been given a suspended disqualification following attacks by their supporters on England fans within the stadium. But England could also be kicked out of the competition.
There has been no immediate reaction from UEFA, Europe’s football governing body.