Euro 2016: UEFA to probe England-Russia fan violence

LONDON (AA) – European football’s governing body UEFA has launched an investigation into fan violence that marred Saturday’s Euro 2016 fixture between Russia and England.

At least 30 people were injured in clashes between rival supporters in and around the stadium in the southern French city of Marseille.

Newspaper reports said part of the violence was triggered after Russia scored a last-minute equalizer in the match, which finished 1-1, and Russian fans celebrated by forcing their way into the stadium stands containing England supporters.

The Daily Mail reported that UEFA’s probe will focus on the events inside the stadium, even though television pictures showed scenes of mayhem outside, with fistfights and bottle-throwing between rival fans.

“There is one English fan that has been badly injured,” Mathieu Duroselle, spokesman for Marseille police, told the Telegraph newspaper.

“His heart stopped but it was restarted by a police officer who provided heart massage at the scene.”

But Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the scenes had been “exaggerated”.

He was quoted by the Mail as saying: “There was no clash — that's being exaggerated, in fact everything is fine here. When the match ended, there was no barrier between the fans. The British were upset, of course, but it all quickly dissolved.”

Mark Whittle, spokesman for the English Football Association, said the events were regrettable.

“The FA is very disappointed about the terrible scenes of disorder and of course condemns such behavior,” he said, according to Sky News.

“It is now in the hands of the relevant authorities to identify those involved in trouble and deal with them appropriately and quickly.

“At this time the FA urges England supporters to act in a respectful manner and support England in the right way.”