At least 36 people have been arrested after violent scenes involving football fans in the French city of Lille.
A number of England and Wales fans have been staying in the city ahead of today’s Euro 2016 game in Lens, while Russia and Slovakia played their group game at Lille’s Stade Metropole. A full breakdown of the nationalities of those arrested has yet to be confirmed.
Scenes had already emerged of an England fan being kicked and punched by Russians, while the violence is thought to have only intensified overnight.
Police had closed off a number of bars during the daytime, while off-licences and supermarkets in both Lille and Lens are forbidden from selling alcohol until Friday morning.
#Euro2016 2 russians arrested after new clashes w/ british fans tonight at #Lille Video pic.twitter.com/9yEm1q5PDU via @edim_sport #France
— José Miguel Sardo (@jmsardo) June 15, 2016
England and Russia were threatened with expulsion from the tournament after violent scenes before and after their group game in Marseille, and Russia were handed a suspended disqualification in relation to fan violence inside the Stade Velodrome.
At least two English fans were arrested and jailed after throwing bottles at police in Marseille, while video has since emerged of what appears to be the arrest of another England supporter in Lille.
However, according to The Independent, British police said at midnight that no further English fans had been arrested following Wednesday evening’s events.
Police have arrested 1 Englishman in Lille today, captured by @KyKyPyKy22. pic.twitter.com/xQW62X5ncY
— GFFN EURO 2016 (@GFFNWC2018) June 14, 2016
Sky News reported police using tear gas and pepper spray on fans in the centre of Lille as the situation intensified on Wednesday evening,
Meanwhile there were also reports of fights breaking out between fans of Russia and Slovakia after the Group B underdogs beat Leonid Slutsky’s team 2-1.
Live from Lille: Police use pepper spray, tear gas and batons as fighting between #Euro2016 fans breaks out https://t.co/1ELubi6gsW
— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 15, 2016
More fighting between #RUS and #SVK fans in Lille. #RUS really don't want to be in this tournament. #EURO2016 https://t.co/d2KDEyLWhT
— Lilywhite Spurs (@Lilywhite_Spurs) June 15, 2016
