Packs of Russian and English football fans clashed in the French city of Marseille in a third straight day of battles at the Euro 2016 championship.
Fans brawled before and after the game Saturday, forcing police in riot gear to fire tear gas to disperse crowds. Throngs lunged at one another, and hurled bottles and other objects at officers.
After the game, Russian fans charged at the section where their British counterparts sat as chaos ensued. Smoke filled the streets as panicked fans fled.
At least 31 people were injured in the clashes, four of them critically, said Mathieu Duroselle, a spokesman for Marseille police. The number included three officers who suffered slight injuries, he said.
On the field, the Russians and English tied 1-1, but French authorities were determined that fighting fans on the street would both lose.
At least 17 people were arrested over two days, police said Saturday.
France deploys extra security
The French Interior Ministry classified the England vs. Russia match “at risk” and police sent in reinforcements.
Photos: Euro 2016: Day 2
“About 1,000 police officers were deployed to secure the game,” Duroselle said. “The situation seems calm now by the stadium and it seems like bars are closed.”
The Union of European Football Associations said they will make an announcement Sunday regarding disciplinary proceedings. This could mean sanctions for Russia or England or both.
“People engaging in such violent acts have no place in football,” said the UEFA, the administrative body for association football in Europe.
French taking extraordinary steps
The French Interior Ministry announced international moves to keep hooligans out of the country during the European Championship.
At the request of French authorities, Britain retained the passports of thousands of people considered hooligans, stopping them from coming to France during the competition.
“There have been 3,000 entry denials by the Minister of Interior, based on lists of people who are banned from stadiums in different countries participating in the competition, or individuals likely to disrupt the order in national territory,” the Interior Ministry said.
Other steps included bars closing early in the Vieux-Port area in Marseille — the same area violence broke out Thursday and Friday nights among football fans.
Multiple bars in the area said they shut their doors at 8 p.m. local time Saturday.
Among the bars is O’Malley’s, an Irish pub that usually closes at 11 p.m.
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