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FRENCH POLICE USED tear gas to disperse English soccer fans at the European Championship earlier today, the fourth time England fans have been involved in violent incidents since the start of the tournament.
After a match between Russia and Slovakia ended in the north French city of Lille, police chased large groups of English fans through the back streets around the city’s main railway station.
A group of about 200 English fans had been getting progressively rowdier and noisier, singing songs taunting Russia, when a loud explosion was heard and some bottles were thrown.
Police appeared to make at least one arrest, pinning a man against the ground.
Police then charged, spraying tear gas in front of them as they ran. Some bystanders took refuge in a nearby pharmacy.
England plays in the nearby city of Lens tomorrow and thousands of their supporters have gathered in Lille.
Repercussions
The repercussions to violence in the southern city of Marseille last week involving English and Russian supporters continued today.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the French ambassador to protest the detention of Russian soccer fans in southern France.
The ministry said the decision by the Marseille prosecutor to hold the Russians for 48 hours pending investigation was “discriminatory.”
It warned that “further fanning of anti-Russian sentiments over our team’s participation in the European Championship could significantly strain the atmosphere of Russian-French ties.”
The Russians were detained yesterday near Nice as they were heading by bus to Lille for today’s match against Slovakia.
Local authorities said police stopped the fans to see whether any hooligans were among them.
Equal treatment
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said Moscow hoped UEFA will give equal treatment to all those responsible for fan violence.
Dmitry Peskov also voiced hope today that the Euro 2016 will continue without any further “excesses”.
UEFA has threatened to expel Russia and England from the tournament if their fans are involved in any more trouble.
The French police action in Lille followed violent clashes between Russia and England fans in Marseille ahead of their European Championship opener, a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.
Russia lost to Slovakia 2-1 today.
In Lille, Russian and Slovakian fans stayed clear of trouble as they left the Stade Pierre Mauroy and returned to the city centre after their match.
Setting off a flare in the final 10 minutes of the game was the only notable example of misbehaviour by Russian fans.
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In Ireland there are almost 100 empty houses for every homeless person.
Funny, I don’t think Enda mentioned that last night.
Threshold do excellent work but they really shouldn’t have to.
I think its disgusting to use the picture of a homeless child in the 3rd world to contrast against housing problems in this country. The child you have depicted doesn’t have access to social services or the care we take for granted in this country.
Send your child out to sleep on the street tonight and then tell us about the difference it is being homeless in Ireland tonight and being homeless in a third world country. At least in a 3rd world country they dont set their homeless on fire
Alfalfa. Go to India or Bangladesh and see how the people in the slums live, they’re treated like vermin, they exist on nothing. the rats in this country have a better quality of life.
Sorry John to me a homeless Child here in December is at risk as much any anyone anywhere. Most 12 year old’s are not aware of the services you speak about. Plus obviously no one would print a picture of a homeless child in Ireland, its too small a country.
Maybe it’s the shape of things to come John ??
more than eight million Bangladeshis live on less than USD 2 a day. Its disgusting how people in our sheltered first world bubble compare their ‘hardships’ to the people of the 3rd world. We don’t know real hardship in this country. Open your eyes!
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=4794
Contrast the few comments on this issue with the outpourings of the do-gooders on the earlier ‘racist’ item.
John… Charity BEGINS at home.. I dont know what kind of a mind would think its ok for an Irish child to suffer a little bit.. Its ok to be cold and hungry and wet.. At least she isnt suffering like those in the third world..
A child should be subjected to NO suffering.. no matter what part of the world you live in..
Gg
“Suffer little children to come unto me”
I say no more; think about it.
fantastic work is being done in cork in regard to homeesess and your journal is doing a great job in high lightind the matter my em address is danielgreydog@yahoo.co.uk used to do a lot of hunting in glanmire woods happy christmas an the new year too god bless
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