A French prosecutor has confirmed that 20 people have been arrested following violence in Marseille. Russia and England have been threatened with suspension, if the violence continues.
Around 150 “highly-trained” Russian hooligans escaped arrest following two days of violence between England and Russia fans in Marseille.
Prosecutor Brice Robin confirmed at a press conference Monday that about 35 people were injured, including four people who have been hospitalized in serious condition. Robin added that “almost all of those who were wounded were British.”
Six Britons, one Austrian and three French will face trial on Monday for their part in the Marseille violence, the worst seen in France since the World Cup in 1998. Two Russian fans have been ordered to leave France, but there were no related arrests made by French police.
Reports in various newspapers described how many Russian fans used gum shields and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) gloves to attack England fans in Marseille. French officials have warned they will expel more foreign supporters and have banned alcohol in sensitive areas around the stadiums.
UEFA, Europe’s governing body, threatened to punish the English and Russian FAs by suspending them from the competition if violence between supporters continued at the European Championships.
rd/dr (AFP, dpa)
