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Fans Clash Again Ahead Of England-Russia Soccer Match


England fans have been involved in distrubances in France over the past two nights.
England fans have been involved in distrubances in France over the past two nights.

French police say several people were injured when fresh clashes erupted on June 11 between soccer fans ahead of a Euro 2016 match between England and Russia in the southern French city of Marseille.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said in a statement that one British citizen has been "seriously injured" while local media reported that the England fan was in critical condition.

The European football body UEFA condemned the clashes, saying “people engaging in such violent acts have no place in football.”

England's Football Association (FA) issued a statement calling on English fans to "act in a respectful manner." The FA said it was "disappointed by the scenes of disorder in Marseille."

Riot police fired tear gas to disperse fighting fans for the third day in a row.

Local police chief Laurent Nunez said authorities laid out separate routes to enter the stadium for England and Russia fans in an attempt to keep the groups apart.

Local TV reported that England fans -- hurling empty beer bottles and plastic chairs -- also clashed with French riot police on June 11.

Television images showed one English supporter lying hurt on the ground as dozens of police officers blocked access to some streets in Marseille's Vieux Port area.

Meanwhile, three England fans and a French woman were to appear in a Marseille court on June 11 charged with acts of violence.

They were held in custody overnight after being arrested for throwing bottles and other objects at police as trouble flared on June 10. A total of seven arrests were made.

England fans and French police have clashed the last two nights, with police using tear gas to disperse some drunken Englishmen.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, Reuters, and AP

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