England soccer supporters were embroiled in a third day of fighting with police and rival fans in Marseille, France, ahead of Saturday's opening match for their team in the European soccer championship tournament.
During the match, fights broke out in the stands at the Marseilles stadium. On the streets, rocks and bottles were thrown, tear gas was used and injuries were reported. The hooligans included Russian and French team backers.
MORE: Images of violence in Marseilles
"We've just seen someone knocked out. Absolutely shocking scenes here in Marseille," Goal.com's Chris Wheatley reported.
"I can still feel the tear gas in my eyes. There's not much else to say apart from absolutely disgraceful scenes by England fans.
"We were told to put our cameras down by some England fans. Looking at all the shopkeepers packing way now. Absolutely disgraceful scenes now.
"Shocking scenes in Marseille. Riot police are here but obviously there's not much they can do about it as there are thousands of England fans on the streets and about 70,000 predicted to be at Stade Velodrome for Saturday's game."
In the end, Russia and England finished in a 1-1 tie.
Scenes on the street were brutally ugly. WARNING: Videos contains violent images.
Les marseillais rouent de coups un supporter anglais #ANGRUS #Marseille #Euro2016 pic.twitter.com/xdtIUlqY69
— La Provence à l'Euro (@LaProvenceEuro) June 11, 2016
Les Marseillais attaquent les Anglais plus Charles de Gaulle #Marseille #Euro2016 #ANGRUS pic.twitter.com/F9OZ70CdIs
— La Provence à l'Euro (@LaProvenceEuro) June 11, 2016
After the match, Russia supporters attempted to rush England supporters, who were forced to flee the area.
"The mood in the stadium until the last five minutes has been fine until about five minutes to go — at which point two flares were set alight in the Russian end," BBC 5 live's Mark Chapman said. "It then looked like a firework was launched from that end into the night sky and the mood in the stadium then notably changed."
And English official said the behavior of people from his country was "embarrassing." In Marseilles, BBC News correspondent Nick Eardley called the street riots "pretty terrifying."
Reports also said England fans were attacked by a band of Russian toughs that sought out and beat individuals without being incited. In a number of cases, according to the British publication Mirror, Englanders were counterattacking thugs.Two nights of violence preceded Saturday's outburst, which reports said were sparked from Russians supporters. More violence was expected after the match.
Euro 2016 is the championship tournaments for national teams on the continent. European soccer officials issued a statement condemning the hooliganism.
"People engaging in such violent acts," the statement said, "have no place in" soccer.
According to The Associated Press, rioters were throwing chairs from restaurants. Police were, the report said, monitoring the situation.
At the soccer stadium, security was heavy and there were no apparently violence demonstrations. Police presence was plentiful, including a water cannon.
Such violence is not new to soccer. So-called English hooligans were involved in a bloody battle during the 1998 World Cup.
— Contributing: Ray Slover, Sporting News
