Football hooligans turn Marseille into war zone

Marseille: Parts of this French port city resembled a war zone on Saturday night as Russian and English football hooligans clashed in running battles that left one fan fighting for life.

The 51-year-old English fan suffered “horrific” head injuries amid claims that Russian ‘Ultras’ with knives and metal poles ambushed rival suppporters in the port area.

Violence later flared near the Stade Velodrome venue for England’s opening game. Photographs showed an England follower sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from a head wound, while a French policeman tried to revive him. The critically injured fan was ambushed near the city’s Hard Rock Cafe. Witnesses said he showed signs of life after officers carried out CPR for about two minutes.

“He got knocked to the ground and kicked in the head for nothing. He was not doing anything when some lads attacked him,” one English fan said. Matthieu Duroselle, police spokesman, said: “There is one English fan that has been badly injured. His heart stopped but it was restarted by a police officer who provided heart massage.”

Another attacker smashed a chair over the head of a man on crutches and he was seen collapsing down steps. Authorities said a Russian supporter who suffered a cardiac arrest during the battles was fighting for life in hospital. England fans said they were hunted down by packs of marauding Russians.

“It was the Russians that sparked it all,” an England supporter insisted. “A whole gang came right into the middle of everything and started throwing punches.” Another said: “They threw everything at us — chairs, bottles — and they slashed us with knives. The French are also having a go.”

A third fan said: “There’s literally an army of Russian fans marching over the hill towards the English. It’s absolutely crazy.” Photographs seemed to back up at least some claims as they showed thugs in black t-shirts with Locomotiv Moscow’s club logo beating English fans who appeared to be trying to flee.

One image showed a hooligan stamping on the head of a England supporter. Russian hooligans posted a series of ‘celebratory’ photos online of England fans covered in blood.

Fighting had broken out at about 4pm after heavy drinking in the Vieux Port and lasted until police dispersed most of the troublemakers prior to the match. Clashes had taken place over the two previous nights but Saturday’s brutality was the worst. About 25,000 England fans and 12,000 Russians were in the city for last night’s game.

Yesterday, Uefa said it will implement “corrective measures” to strengthen security at European Championship stadiums after “segregation issues” at the Marseille stadium where Russian fans attacked their English counterparts.

A military water cannon was used to drive away the thugs after police lost control. John Gregor, 37, an Arsenal fan who arrived in Marseille with two friends, said the police must take some blame. “We watched the Russians pour in and go hell for leather for 25 minutes at the English. The police just stood and watched. They’ve lost total control. It’s inexcusable.”

Police also fired tear gas at the rioters, the third day running they used the tactic. As battles raged, England fans taunted riot police, hurling bottles. Injured fans fled as missiles rained down and streets became a mix of blood and broken glass.

Onlookers the area became “like a war zone” as Russians wrenched legs off cafe chairs to use them as weapons. Some were found covered in blood.

Questions will be raised about if the French authorities should have been better prepared for such an obvious flashpoint and why bars were allowed to serve alcohol before the game. Jonathan Greig tweeted yesterday afternoon: “Trapped in a bar due to Police outside due to mob of Russians being in situ around the corner!”. He quickly followed it with: “Huge mobs of Russians looking to fight the English in Marseille! Police everywhere though! Russians are all tooled up!”

Gary Lineker, former England captain and BBC presenter, called the trouble “utterly sickening”.

La Provence newspaper claimed a dozen hooligans from Parisian gang the Boulogne Boys had joined Russian hardcore ‘ultras’ in a surprise attack on the English. But there will be serious criticism over the behaviour of English thugs too.

Football authorities, ultimately responsible for their behaviour, are facing sanctions. Laurent Nunez, Marseille police chief, said yesterday afternoon six people were arrested and at least five were hurt, one seriously, but those numbers are expected to rise.

“One person was in cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated,” he told BFM television.

Samia Ghali, Marseille senator, 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.”

Ghali said she had stopped her teenage children going out last night as she feared more violence.

A heavily pregnant woman and her toddler son were caught up in the carnage in the old port area after being dropped off from a tourist boat. The Spanish woman, who did not want to be named, said: “This is the most beautiful corner of Marseille. It makes me sick to see the English behave like this. How can they allow England to play in these tournaments. Throw them out.”

Gerard Channoux, 71, who lives in an apartment overlooking a square where trouble flared, said: “The English are the same. Drink and sun is a cocktail for them. I’m not surprised by this.”