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Euro 2016: FA has 'serious concerns' over Lille security | Euro 2016: FA has 'serious concerns' over Lille security |
(about 1 hour later) | |
There are "serious concerns" about security in Lille, where England and Russia fans are set to gather for this week's Euro 2016 matches, Football Association chairman Greg Dyke says. | |
England supporters are due to be in Lille ahead of Thursday's match against Wales in nearby Lens, while Russia play Slovakia in the city on Wednesday. | |
Six England fans were jailed after the teams drew 1-1 on Saturday. | Six England fans were jailed after the teams drew 1-1 on Saturday. |
Russia has received a suspended disqualification from the tournament. | Russia has received a suspended disqualification from the tournament. |
The country was also fined 150,000 euros (£119,000) over crowd trouble at the match in Marseille. | |
Uefa said the punishment would be imposed if similar incidents happen at any of Russia's remaining matches. | |
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Theresa May described the violence as "deeply disturbing" and said the UK was offering support with investigations and "post-incident analysis". | |
Security arrangements | |
Both Russia and England could face expulsion by Uefa, the organisers of Euro 2016, if there is any further violence. | |
But in a letter to Uefa in response, Mr Dyke rejected the suggestion that England fans were at fault for scenes inside the Stade Velodrome following the match with Russia. | |
"The implication in your jointly-addressed letter is that English fans were in part responsible for the terrible incidents at the end of the match with Russia," he wrote. | "The implication in your jointly-addressed letter is that English fans were in part responsible for the terrible incidents at the end of the match with Russia," he wrote. |
"This is contradicted both by the video evidence and by the fact your independent disciplinary bodies have only instigated sanctions against the Russian Football Union." | "This is contradicted both by the video evidence and by the fact your independent disciplinary bodies have only instigated sanctions against the Russian Football Union." |
He said the stewarding in the stadium was "unacceptable" as supporters were able to get in with fireworks and flares, and there was "insufficient segregation" between England and Russian fans. | He said the stewarding in the stadium was "unacceptable" as supporters were able to get in with fireworks and flares, and there was "insufficient segregation" between England and Russian fans. |
"A minority of English fans were clearly involved in some of those incidents and that is extremely disappointing to us all, but please also recognise that tens of thousands have behaved in a positive way," he wrote. | "A minority of English fans were clearly involved in some of those incidents and that is extremely disappointing to us all, but please also recognise that tens of thousands have behaved in a positive way," he wrote. |
The FA welcomed an alcohol ban across the host cities, he said, "particularly in Lille on Wednesday where many English fans have been asked to gather ahead of Thursday's match against Wales in Lens". | The FA welcomed an alcohol ban across the host cities, he said, "particularly in Lille on Wednesday where many English fans have been asked to gather ahead of Thursday's match against Wales in Lens". |
England fans had been advised to stay in Lille because Lens is a small city. | England fans had been advised to stay in Lille because Lens is a small city. |
"We have, following consultation with the authorities, advised our supporters without tickets for the match in Lens to congregate there," Mr Dyke wrote. | "We have, following consultation with the authorities, advised our supporters without tickets for the match in Lens to congregate there," Mr Dyke wrote. |
"Whilst we will be working hard to positively influence their behaviour we have serious concerns around the security arrangements for the city in the next few days. | "Whilst we will be working hard to positively influence their behaviour we have serious concerns around the security arrangements for the city in the next few days. |
"These concerns are heightened with the knowledge that Russia will play in Lille on Wednesday afternoon." | "These concerns are heightened with the knowledge that Russia will play in Lille on Wednesday afternoon." |
Passports seized | |
Thousands of supporters are expected to follow Thursday's match between Wales and England at fan zones in the Place Jean Jaures in Lens and also Lille, which is 24 miles (39km) away. | |
More than 35,000 ticket holders are due to watch the clash in the Stade Bollaert-Delelis. | |
Responding to an urgent Commons question from shadow home secretary Andy Burnham, Mrs May said the UK was sending police spotters - officers trained to spot trouble-makers at football matches - to support French authorities. | |
She also said 1,400 passports were seized from England fans before the tournament began. | |
England fans without tickets were being advised against travelling to Lens and Lille, she added. | |
In other developments: | |
The clashes in Marseille's Stade Velodrome on Saturday followed England's 1-1 Euro 2016 draw with Russia, after Russian fans appeared to rush at England supporters. | The clashes in Marseille's Stade Velodrome on Saturday followed England's 1-1 Euro 2016 draw with Russia, after Russian fans appeared to rush at England supporters. |
Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium on Saturday after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart. | Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium on Saturday after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart. |
A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape. | A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape. |
The charges against Russia are for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks during the game. | |
Groups of Russian fans are also being deported from France, with prosecutors saying 150 Russian hooligans were behind the violence in Marseille. | |
Former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security office told BBC Radio 5 live French police had a "very difficult job" as they were operating under the threat of terrorism - following recent attacks in the country. | |
But Chris Phillips added: "They've not learned from many years of experience, certainly that we in the UK have had, around dealing with disorder and dealing with crowds of people". | But Chris Phillips added: "They've not learned from many years of experience, certainly that we in the UK have had, around dealing with disorder and dealing with crowds of people". |
Dr Joel Rookwood, from Southampton Solent University, told the BBC that, to many Russian fans, England "represented the ultimate enemy" and was seen as the inventor of football hooliganism. | |
He said beating England in fights off the pitch was "akin" to beating them on it. | He said beating England in fights off the pitch was "akin" to beating them on it. |
Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney appealed directly to fans to "behave themselves". | Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney appealed directly to fans to "behave themselves". |
Are you travelling to Lille or Lens for Euro 2016? Share your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you travelling to Lille or Lens for Euro 2016? Share your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |