MARSEILLES resembled a war zone as new bouts of violence and clashes involving England, Russian and local football fans and police erupted just hours before the team's opening match of Euro 2016.
Two England football fans were reportedly in a critical condition in hospital after the running battles in the square and on side streets on Saturday afternoon, with a further 11 receiving minor injuries.
There were also clashes in the stadium following England's 1-1 draw with Russia, after Russia fans appeared to rush at the England supporters.
The bloody street battles followed two nights of trouble in the southern France port as police used tear gas to control fans.
The England fan is said to have suffered ‘horrific’ head injuries amid claims that Russian ‘ultras’, armed with knives and metal poles, had ambushed rival fans.
A police spokesman said the man was resuscitated by officers, but gave no further details.
French police used water cannon and tear gas on rioters as fist fights and bottle throwing broke out between the England supporters and their Russian and French counterparts in Marseilles' Old Port.
UEFA condemned the ongoing violence between England, Russian and local football fans in Marseille.
In a statement, the European football governing body said: "UEFA firmly condemns the incidents in Marseille. People engaging in such violent acts have no place in football."
One man had separately been reportedly fighting for his life after being being hit by a Russian supporter. Eyewitnesses said the man - thought to be English - was undergoing CPR after suffering horrific head injuries.
A man was reportedly in a critical condition following the clashes after going into cardiac arrest. Paramedics were attempting to revive him on the pavement.
One video posted shows two people being punched and kicked while one man lies prostrate on the ground ahead of England's match against Russia.
Other video footage shows fans throwing bottles and chairs, before the police moved in.
Some England fans complained of being hunted down by packs of marauding Russians.
Footage showed bottles being thrown and bloodied fans being given medical treatment.
Confrontation
Broken glass lay strewn across the square and crunched underfoot as the police fired tear gas into the crowds causing them to run.
Fans were seen being beaten to the floor and repeatedly kicked in the head.
Police chief Laurent Nunez said six people were arrested and at least five people were injured, in the clashes on Saturday afternoon around Marseille’s Vieux Port.
“One person was in cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated,” he said.
The Marseille senator, Samia Ghali, said: “The violence spoiled what should have been a party atmosphere.
"When you see drunken hooligans hurling bottles, I think you realise that it's necessary to impose restrictions on the sale of alcohol to make it easier to maintain order.”
A fan about to be struck by a chair
Ms Ghali said she had forbidden her teenage children to go out on Saturday night because she feared more violence in the streets.
About 10 football hooligans from the Paris gang, the Boulogne Boys, have joined Russian Ultras in Marseille, La Provence newspaper reported.
Eyewitnesses said a group of Russian hooligans arrived before fighting began.
Chairs from outside bars and cafes were smashed apart and used as weapons. Some were covered in blood.
Car windscreens had also been smashed during the fighting.
Onlookers said the area looked "like a war zone".
Laurent Nunez, the local police commissioner, earlier said: “Police intervened in a fight between English, Russian and French supporters in the Old Port area.
"It was troubling but calm returned within a few minutes."
But shortly after violence broke out again with video footage showing fights in side streets.
During one skirmish, one English fan, concerned at someone filming said: "What's my problem? What's my problem? We're just being attacked."
Many bar owners in the Old Port area of Marseille said they won't show the England versus Russia match as they don't want a repeat of the violence seen over the past two nights.
A senior politician in Marseille has demanded that the UK pays towards the costs of the clean-up operation after the trouble on the city's streets.
Socialist deputy Patrick Mennucci, the equivalent of a British MP, said: "What has happened with the English fans is unbearable and extremely shocking.
"The people of Marseille have really despaired about this unacceptable behaviour."
Earlier, shadow home secretary Andy Burnham described the behaviour of England fans as "embarrassing" in light of the terrorism threat to France.
Dave Tomlinson, from the Football Supporters' Federation, who is in Marseille, had earlier said it was "disappointing to see any problems".
But he added: "We understand from the reports that it's a very small minority of England fans that have been involved.
"We also understand that unfortunately there has been quite a lot of provocation from the French and also the Russian elements that are in the area."
The trouble in Marseilles is utterly sickening.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 11, 2016
Another crazy video: England fans vs Russia fans. Disgusting pic.twitter.com/o5iLxDPOzd
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) June 11, 2016
Billy Grant and Dave Lane of the Football Supporters Federation had yesterday said it hoped that there was no repeat of the trouble that marred England fans' last visit to the French port during the 1998 World Cup.
Then in three days of violence in Marseilles there were over 50 arrests, five English fans and one Tunisian were expelled from France, and three Englishmen were jailed.
Scores of people were injured. One of the more seriously hurt was an English fan who had his throat slashed.
England fans and Russia fans. Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/tBXsfKEH2u
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelonaHQ) June 11, 2016
The duo say in a blog: "Violence reigned for days across the city as it was plunged into what has been described as ‘civil war’ by some locals.
"In addition to nervousness of England’s return to Marseille, there are concerns about the French authorities’ ability to police the tournament with the potential of notorious Russian Ultras added to an already volatile mix."
At the time, the deputy mayor of Marseille called on the British Government to compensate his city for damage caused by England fans.
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