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Euros 2016: Who is to blame for the violence? Euro 2016 violence: Who is to blame for the violence?
(35 minutes later)
The opening days of Euro 2016 have been marred by ugly scenes of violence, both on the streets and in Marseille's stadium. Who is to blame for the trouble - and can it be stopped?The opening days of Euro 2016 have been marred by ugly scenes of violence, both on the streets and in Marseille's stadium. Who is to blame for the trouble - and can it be stopped?
Who's behind the violence?Who's behind the violence?
England, Russia and France supporters have been involved in the most serious incidents - although of course they are only a tiny number of thousands of peaceful fans at Euro 2016.England, Russia and France supporters have been involved in the most serious incidents - although of course they are only a tiny number of thousands of peaceful fans at Euro 2016.
Confusing and sometimes conflicting reports mean blame is difficult to definitively apportion. Accounts suggest the initial confrontations started when England fans reacted to unprovoked attacks by groups of local youths, which were exacerbated by alcohol. French police then stepped in and deployed tear gas.Confusing and sometimes conflicting reports mean blame is difficult to definitively apportion. Accounts suggest the initial confrontations started when England fans reacted to unprovoked attacks by groups of local youths, which were exacerbated by alcohol. French police then stepped in and deployed tear gas.
Some fans complained that the "heavy-handed" police approach may have escalated the situation. But the behaviour of England fans has been criticised too. Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said they had been "let down by a minority" who may have been provoked but were "not blameless" over the first two nights' violence, which saw fist-fights and bottles thrown. Some fans complained that the "heavy-handed" police approach escalated the situation. But the behaviour of England fans has been criticised too. Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said they had been "let down by a minority" who may have been provoked but were "not blameless" over the first two nights' violence, which saw fist-fights and bottles thrown.
Blame for the incident at the end of the match between England and Russia has been placed on a group of Russians. According to French prosecutors, 150 Russians "well prepared for ultra-rapid, ultra-violent action" were involved. There are claims "ultras" - hardened hooligans - from both Russia and France have come to the tournament intent on targeting England fans. Blame for the incident at the end of the match between England and Russia - in which a group appeared to rush at English supporters - has been squarely placed on a number of Russian supporters.
According to French prosecutors, 150 Russians "well prepared for ultra-rapid, ultra-violent action" were involved. There are claims "ultras" - hardened hooligans - from both Russia and France went to the tournament intent on targeting England fans.
Among those arrested so far are Britons, French, Russians and an Austrian. In a much smaller incident in Nice, about a dozen Northern Ireland supporters retaliated to what police said was an unprovoked attack by French hooligans.Among those arrested so far are Britons, French, Russians and an Austrian. In a much smaller incident in Nice, about a dozen Northern Ireland supporters retaliated to what police said was an unprovoked attack by French hooligans.
What's happened so far? How did the violence unfold?
About 35 people have been injured in the disorder - four seriously - and 20 people arrested.About 35 people have been injured in the disorder - four seriously - and 20 people arrested.
To what extent is the violence orchestrated? To what extent was the violence orchestrated?
The "ultra-rapid, ultra-violent" stadium attacks were planned and perpetrated by Russians hooligans, according to Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin. The "well-trained" individuals were able to avoid arrest because they covered their faces, and fled the stadium quickly, he explained. The stadium attacks were planned and perpetrated by "well-trained" Russians hooligans, according to Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin.
Witnesses at the game described seeing men who had "come prepared" for trouble with gum shields and gloves used for martial arts. Some British newspapers have reported that Russian "firms" issued threats to England fans well before the tournament.Witnesses at the game described seeing men who had "come prepared" for trouble with gum shields and gloves used for martial arts. Some British newspapers have reported that Russian "firms" issued threats to England fans well before the tournament.
Violence by England fans has largely been attributed to drunken aggressiveness rather than organised hooliganism. British police issued banning orders against known hooligans from England, Wales and Northern Ireland to prevent them from travelling, and British police hooligan "spotters" have been deployed in France. Russian sports journalist Ivan Kalashnikov says many Russian fans "still live under the impression that hooliganism is still a big thing in Europe and in England".
"They wanted to make an impression. It's for the Russian authorities to speak to them and make them understand there is no hooligan competition going on. There were known leaders [among the 150 stadium attackers], even though the Russian authorities banned some known hooligans from travelling."
Meanwhile, violence by England fans has largely been attributed to drunken aggressiveness rather than organised hooliganism. British police issued about 1,400 banning orders against known hooligans from England, Wales and Northern Ireland to prevent them from travelling to the tournament, and British police hooligan "spotters" have been deployed in France.
What is the mood amongst fans?What is the mood amongst fans?
Fans of all nationalities have described feeling both saddened by what has happened, and afraid for their safety.Fans of all nationalities have described feeling both saddened by what has happened, and afraid for their safety.
Alberto, from Italy, told the BBC Newsbeat the trouble in Marseille was horrible, adding: "I feel scared being here now, I was scared to come here to Nice because we're close to Marseille." Alberto, from Italy, told BBC Newsbeat the trouble in Marseille was horrible, adding: "I feel scared being here now, I was scared to come here to Nice because we're close to Marseille."
Others have complained about "slack" security. Artur, from Poland, said: "Security is very, very poor."Others have complained about "slack" security. Artur, from Poland, said: "Security is very, very poor."
"We're going to Marseille in less than two weeks for Poland against Ukraine and to be honest I'm a little bit afraid," he says. "We are afraid of the organisation at this tournament because look at Saturday, there was no segregation between the Russian and English fans."We're going to Marseille in less than two weeks for Poland against Ukraine and to be honest I'm a little bit afraid," he says. "We are afraid of the organisation at this tournament because look at Saturday, there was no segregation between the Russian and English fans.
What is being done to stop the trouble and will it work?What is being done to stop the trouble and will it work?
Uefa has promised to strengthen security and fan segregation inside Marseille stadium following Saturday's incident, and threatened teams with disqualification if their fans are disorderly. It has urged host cities to ban alcohol near venues. Uefa has promised to strengthen security and fan segregation inside Marseille stadium following Saturday's incident, and threatened teams with disqualification if their fans continued to be disorderly - prompting an appeal for calm from England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney.
It has also announced charges against Russia for the Marseille stadium incident for crowd disorder, racist behaviour and setting off fireworks. Sanctions will be decided on Tuesday, but could potentially include a fine. Uefa has also announced charges against Russia for the Marseille stadium incident for crowd disorder, racist behaviour and setting off fireworks. Sanctions will be decided on Tuesday, but could potentially include a fine.
However, it will not be the first time Russia has been punished for its fans' behaviour. Its football union was fined a total of £150,000 and given a suspended six-point deduction from its qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 for incidents at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. This was reduced on appeal. Russia has previously been punished for its fans' behaviour. Its football union was fined a total of £150,000 and given a suspended six-point deduction from its qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 for incidents at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. This was reduced on appeal.
Meanwhile, the UK government has offered to send police, including "spotters" to sit in the crowd at the next match, to support the security operation, and said British officers would be assisting the French with their post-incident investigations. It has also enhanced its Border Force presence at outbound ports. Meanwhile, the French government has urged host cities to ban alcohol near venues. There will be a 24-hour drinking ban in Lens before the England game.
How many UK football fans are at the Euros? And the UK government has offered to send police, including "spotters" to sit in the crowd at the next match, to support the security operation, and said British officers would be assisting the French with their post-incident investigations. It has also enhanced its Border Force presence at outbound ports.
An estimated 350,000 and 500,000 supporters from the United Kingdom expected to travel to France for matches, according to police. Where do fans go next?
But not all spectators will have tickets - there were about 250,000 tickets sold to UK residents from 1.6m applications. An estimated 350,000 to 500,000 supporters from the UK are expected to travel to France for matches throughout the course of the tournament, according to police. But not all spectators will have tickets - there were about 250,000 tickets sold to UK residents from 1.6m applications.
There are some concerns that Lille may present another flashpoint for violence, as Russia and England fans may once again be in close proximity.
Russia's next match against Slovakia will take place in Lille on Wednesday - the day before England's match against Wales, just 24 miles away in Lens. England fans had been advised to stay in Lille because Lens is a small city.
Northern Ireland play Ukraine in Lyon on Thursday. A full match schedule can be found here.
Should fans worry about going to matches?Should fans worry about going to matches?
The Foreign Office has issued safety advice for those travelling to matches in France - it warns fans to drink responsibly, or face being barred from venues or fanzones.The Foreign Office has issued safety advice for those travelling to matches in France - it warns fans to drink responsibly, or face being barred from venues or fanzones.
Neither the British police nor the UK government have said it is unsafe to go, but UK fans have been warned that French police will not tolerate drunken or anti-social behaviour. Neither the British police nor the UK government say it's unsafe to go, but UK fans have been warned that French police will not tolerate drunken or anti-social behaviour.
"There is no excuse for violence, disorder or anti-social behaviour at football matches," said Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing. "Troublemakers will be dealt with by French police in line with their laws and can expect a banning order on return to the UK." "Troublemakers will be dealt with by French police in line with their laws and can expect a banning order on return to the UK," said Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing.
British police plan to act as "cultural interpreters" to prevent heavy-handed tactics against drunk and rowdy fans who may not cause serious trouble.British police plan to act as "cultural interpreters" to prevent heavy-handed tactics against drunk and rowdy fans who may not cause serious trouble.
Russia's next match against Slovakia will take place in Lille on Wednesday - the day before England's match against Wales, just 24 miles away in Lens.
England next play Wales at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens on Thursday.