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Euro 2016: England fan arrested after Marseille clash | Euro 2016: England fan arrested after Marseille clash |
(35 minutes later) | |
One England football fan and one local man have been arrested after police used tear gas to break up trouble in Marseille ahead of Euro 2016. | One England football fan and one local man have been arrested after police used tear gas to break up trouble in Marseille ahead of Euro 2016. |
Earlier reports had said two England fans were arrested, but this was later clarified by French police. | Earlier reports had said two England fans were arrested, but this was later clarified by French police. |
Ch Supt Steve Neill, a British policeman in Marseille, said the "confrontation" had been between local youths and some England fans. | Ch Supt Steve Neill, a British policeman in Marseille, said the "confrontation" had been between local youths and some England fans. |
Police said Thursday night's incident had been dealt with quickly. | Police said Thursday night's incident had been dealt with quickly. |
The clash with locals took place outside a pub in the Old Port district at about midnight. | The clash with locals took place outside a pub in the Old Port district at about midnight. |
Four French policemen had been lightly injured as they moved in on England fans, the news website France Bleu reported. Many of the fans had been drunk, it said. | Four French policemen had been lightly injured as they moved in on England fans, the news website France Bleu reported. Many of the fans had been drunk, it said. |
After the tear gas was released, the police restored calm to the area at about 02:30 local time. | After the tear gas was released, the police restored calm to the area at about 02:30 local time. |
There had been no damage to local property, they said. | There had been no damage to local property, they said. |
'Small minority' | 'Small minority' |
Mr Neill, who is in charge of England fan security, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "About midnight last night there was confrontation between a group of local youths and some England supporters. | Mr Neill, who is in charge of England fan security, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "About midnight last night there was confrontation between a group of local youths and some England supporters. |
"Local police moved in very quickly and utilised some tear gas to disperse the local youths and close the pub. | "Local police moved in very quickly and utilised some tear gas to disperse the local youths and close the pub. |
"The use of tear gas seems quite dramatic to us from England and the United Kingdom because we are not used to seeing it - but in mainland Europe it is a regular tactic and they restored order fairly quickly." | "The use of tear gas seems quite dramatic to us from England and the United Kingdom because we are not used to seeing it - but in mainland Europe it is a regular tactic and they restored order fairly quickly." |
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing, said England supporters had been in Marseille on Thursday "without issue" before a group of approximately 70 local youths had approached the pub where England fans had congregated. | Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing, said England supporters had been in Marseille on Thursday "without issue" before a group of approximately 70 local youths had approached the pub where England fans had congregated. |
Footage of the incident showed men hurling chairs, a fist fight outside a fast-food restaurant and chanting England fans surrounded by police officers with dogs. | Footage of the incident showed men hurling chairs, a fist fight outside a fast-food restaurant and chanting England fans surrounded by police officers with dogs. |
Ambulances were seen arriving after police carrying riot shields moved in to separate the crowd and tear gas was used to clear the area. | Ambulances were seen arriving after police carrying riot shields moved in to separate the crowd and tear gas was used to clear the area. |
"We need to keep it in context - there are thousands of England supporters who will come here and have a fantastic time," Mr Neill said. | "We need to keep it in context - there are thousands of England supporters who will come here and have a fantastic time," Mr Neill said. |
"There is a small minority who drink too much and get involved in some anti-social behaviour." | "There is a small minority who drink too much and get involved in some anti-social behaviour." |
Supporters have travelled to Marseille ahead of England's game with Russia on Saturday. | Supporters have travelled to Marseille ahead of England's game with Russia on Saturday. |
'Indiscriminate' | 'Indiscriminate' |
Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters' Federation, which runs the fans embassy in Marseille, said: "It's the police's job to prevent a confrontation and they used French methods to do so, which we're not particularly used to. | Kevin Miles, chief executive of the Football Supporters' Federation, which runs the fans embassy in Marseille, said: "It's the police's job to prevent a confrontation and they used French methods to do so, which we're not particularly used to. |
"They used tear gas, which is a little bit indiscriminate for my liking, but it did the job and the problems were over." | "They used tear gas, which is a little bit indiscriminate for my liking, but it did the job and the problems were over." |
Tournament organisers Uefa said it "regrets the skirmishes that occurred in Marseille". | Tournament organisers Uefa said it "regrets the skirmishes that occurred in Marseille". |
It said: "We are confident that the safety of travelling fans will be ensured by the local authorities which are responsible for order in the city. | It said: "We are confident that the safety of travelling fans will be ensured by the local authorities which are responsible for order in the city. |
"We make an appeal to all fans to behave respectfully throughout the tournament." | "We make an appeal to all fans to behave respectfully throughout the tournament." |
English football's governing body the FA said it was "really disappointed by the scenes of disorder in Marseille" and that it condemned such behaviour. | |
"It is in the hands of the authorities to identify those involved and deal with them appropriately," it said. | |
"The FA urges supporters who are travelling to Marseille to act in a respectful manner and enjoy the match against Russia." | |
Are you a fan in France for Euro 2016? What is your view of the brawl? And what do you make of policing arrangements? | Are you a fan in France for Euro 2016? What is your view of the brawl? And what do you make of policing arrangements? |
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