Wednesday, 15 June 2016

Tear Gas Fired At #England Fans In #Lille

Tension is ramping up on the streets of Lille, where crowds of armed police are following chanting English fans amid reports of scuffles and a "huge bang".

Police officers wearing helmets and body armour have been striking supporters with batons, and pepper spray and tear gas has been fired at England fans behaving in a "threatening" manner.

According to Sky Correspondent Siobhan Robbins, who is at the scene, there appears to be trouble in several areas.

It is unclear what sparked the confrontation, but French officers are clearing the streets and local media says police helicopters are circling overhead.


The Associated Press reports that a group of about 200 English fans had been singing songs about Russia before a loud explosion was heard, and bottles were thrown.

Ex-England footballer Stan Collymore said: "Somebody threw a, not a grenade, something that went bang towards some England fans and the England fans have just run."

He also posted footage which appeared to show a man smashing wing mirrors off cars parked in the street.

According to AFP, paramedics appeared to be carrying out cardiac massage on a fan lying on the ground, but their nationality was not clear.

An alcohol ban has been in place in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the violent scenes in Marseille, with bars closed and shops stopped from selling booze, but some fans in Lille appeared to be drinking nonetheless.

The unrest came as Russian fans set off a flare after a goal at their Euro 2016 game against Slovakia.

The flame was visible from the stands as Russian supporters celebrated a goal by Denis Glushakov in the 80th minute, but their team went on to lose 2-1.

Those attending matches had been told any further trouble inside stadium grounds could cause Russia's national team to be kicked out of the tournament.

On Tuesday UEFA handed Russia a suspended disqualification over crowd disturbances at its game against England in Marseille, and the country's football federation was given a €150,000 fine.

The governing body had warned the suspension would be lifted "if incidents of a similar nature (crowd disturbances) happen inside the stadium at any of the remaining matches of the Russian team during the tournament".

A short time before the flare ignited, Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, accused French authorities of "ignoring the absolutely provocative actions of fans from other countries" - in an apparent reference to England fans.


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