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Despite a warning at the beginning of Euro 2016 that UEFA would disqualify England and Russia from the tournament if their fans’ violent behaviour in France continued, the two sets of supporters continue to firmly embarrass their respective countries by inciting riots and clashing with police in the region. At this rate, it is likely that both national squads will be ejected from the competition.
With England and Russia fans having erupted on Saturday in Marseille prior to and following the two teams’ match, UEFA’s stern warning that they would be disqualified if these riots continued have been ignored, with their journey to Lille now leading to similar outbreaks of violence. Football pundit Stan Collymore recorded England fans storming through the streets of Lille, smashing car windows while Russian supporters threw bottles at them, before the French authorities launched tear gas at the crowds in order to disperse them.
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However, video footage from the evening shows that these fans once again collided, fighting one another in the French university town and forcing police to make 36 arrests. Now FA chief executive Martin Glenn has made a plea to UK supporters who have travelled to France for the competition, asking them to consider that the police in the country are having to remain vigilant for potential terrorist attacks, too. Glenn said: “I think the message to all English fans, Welsh fans too, [is] the French are trying to deal with a real security threat. Behave responsibly, come and enjoy the game but just have a think about the wider position. Show some consideration and respect.”
But despite England facing the very real threat of disqualification, it’s unlikely that Glenn’s comments will inspire a change in heart from supporters at the tournament, who appear to be dead set on forcing their national side out of the competition.
Night figts in Lille #euro2016 pic.twitter.com/KIXhxAHMEU
— Max Allanazarov (@KyKyPyKy22) June 14, 2016
The UK government sent out 4,000 police officers to help France with providing security for the England v Wales match, with Russian fans also in Lille as a result of their recent match against Slovakia. UEFA has yet to release another statement regarding their planned course of action against England and Russia.
