This is not pretty. This is not football.
The build-up to Saturday night’s England and Russia game in Marseille has been real ugly at times.
Images, videos, news stories of the scenes on the south of France have already left a sour taste in the mouth but it continues.
Watch: English football fans are involved in more chaotic scenes in Marseille https://t.co/K7eJs2Na4l
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 11, 2016
A minority of fans have been involved in flash-points far too often in the build-up to a football match. A football match.
Outside the Stade Véledrome on Saturday evening ahead of the clash with England and Russia, spirits were good. It was a party atmosphere, English fans were singing, Russian fans were getting pictures taking and it all just lent itself to a celebration. It lent itself to what European Championships should be about.
Every so often though, the mood would be dampened with the sound and ominous sightings of handfuls of sirens streaming by. Obviously headed for trouble.
And, after Russia grabbed a last-gasp equaliser in the game that disappointingly will play second fiddle to the trouble, it sparked even more violence which UEFA were quick to officially condemn.
After the final whistle it appeared as if Russian fans hurdled the inadequate segregation and charged at England fans.
Punches were thrown, stewards struggled and then fences were being jumped as the crowd ran outside into the Marseille night looking to be in no hurry for calming peace talks.
Here is the video we shot from our position in the press box at the Stade Velodrome.
And here are some others that have come via BBC reporters
The rush of fans behind goal. See bottom-right of stand, England supporters jumping over perimeter fence in panic pic.twitter.com/4u0GRU3MdR
— Dan Roan (@danroan) June 11, 2016
England fans (and many French people too) climbing fences to avoid Russian supporters pic.twitter.com/ryE9JXSwwP
— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) June 11, 2016
Have never seen anything like this in football stadium. Utter panic in England as some Russians charged. Women and children trampled.
— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) June 11, 2016
Unclear how much of that was panic among supporters after earlier, but certainly some Russians approaching England fans at full time whistle
— Nick Eardley (@nickeardleybbc) June 11, 2016
