The French government Sunday "announced a ban on alcohol near Euro 2016 venues and fan zones, after three days of drunken violence among fans in the southern city of Marseille," according to the AFP. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said, "I have asked for all necessary measures to be taken to prohibit the sale, consumption and transport of alcoholic drinks in sensitive areas on match days and the day before, and on days when fan zones are open." The move "comes a day after Russian and English supporters -- as well as French locals -- clashed in pitched battles in Marseille ahead of their teams' first-round encounter in the worst violence seen at an int'l tournament since the 1998 World Cup." Cazeneuve said that the ban "will include public areas, as well as shops and off-licences." Senior local officials "can also ban bars and cafes from serving drinks on their terraces in containers that can be used as missiles" (AFP, 6/12).
'DRUNKEN CRETINS': In London, Michael Stothard wrote violent clashes between fans "spread to a second French city in a tense opening weekend of the Euro 2016 football championships that has piled pressure on the country’s stretched police and security services." On Saturday "the normally peaceful city of Nice was also the scene of violence as Northern Irish fans clashed with locals and Polish supporters ahead of their match, leaving at least seven people injured." Jean-Christophe Cambadelis, a French member of parliament and first secretary of the socialist party, defended his country’s law enforcement in an interview on Sunday, blaming the violence on "drunken cretins" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/12).
FLASH MOB: Also in London, John Lichfield wrote French eye-witness media reports "placed most of the blame" for Saturday’s violence in Marseille on small, well-organized "commandos" of Russian hooligans. L’Equipe "quoted one eye-witness, Nina, describing a four-way pitched battle" at one stage between "Russians, English, thugs from the poor districts [of Marseille] and the CRS [riot police]." She said, "Everyone was hitting everyone else. Cans of beer and lumps of tarmac were flying through the air." French authorities "rejected suggestions by England fans and British media that the aggressive tactics of the police were partly to blame." Marseille Mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin praised the "exemplary response" of the police. Without their rapid action, he said, "the violence would have been even more acute and prolonged." Several French eye-witness reports said that Saturday’s violence began at the Cours Estienne-D’Orves, "a narrow street lined with bars near the Marseille old port." L’Equipe reported, "Thirty Russian hooligans came from nowhere and devastated the bar terraces attacking hundreds of England fans with iron bars, chairs and tables" (INDEPENDENT, 6/12). Also in London, Peter Yeung wrote UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Union of Russia "after fans clashed at the 1-1 draw." The administrative body for football in Europe expressed "utter disgust" at the violence at the Stade Velodrome. UEFA "has not opened any case" against the English FA (INDEPENDENT, 6/12).
CALLS FOR EXPULSION: In London, Ben Rumsby wrote Russia Football Supporters’ Federation CEO Kevin Miles said that Russia "should be threatened with expulsion from the European Championship" over its "full-frontal attack" on England fans. Miles "also questioned the wisdom of staging the volatile Group B fixture in Marseille." Miles, who was forced to flee to safety during the disturbances, said, "At Euro 2000, England were threatened with exclusion from the tournament because of behavior outside the stadium which was of much less severity than what took place on the streets of Marseille by Russian fans" (TELEGRAPH, 6/12).
WARNING SIGNS: The BBC reported UEFA "threatened to disqualify England and Russia from Euro 2016 if there is any further violence by fans." UEFA said that charges against Russia "are for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks." There "were issues with segregation of fans," the body admitted, promising security would be "strengthened." The U.K. government said that "it had offered to send extra British police to France ahead of England's next match in Lens on Thursday" (BBC, 6/12). In London, Owen Gibson wrote Russian fans "broke through lax security inside the stadium at the end of the match to attack England supporters, including families, who were fleeing for the exit." Before that "there had been three days of skirmishes between England fans, the police and locals." UEFA has consistently maintained that "it can sanction its members only for events that take place inside the stadium." UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body will meet on Tuesday "to decide on sanctions against Russia before their next games against Slovakia in Lille the following day" (GUARDIAN, 6/12).
MUTKO SPEAKS OUT: Also in London, Shaun Walker wrote Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that "some of its football fans had brought shame on the country, but that Saturday’s violence in Marseille before and after the match with England had nothing to do with its suitability to host the 2018 World Cup." When asked about the implications for '18 as he left the stadium after the game, Mutko said, "What’s the 2018 World Cup got to do with it?" Mutko, "who was on the pitch after the final whistle waving at Russian fans close to where the clashes were taking place, initially said the trouble had been exaggerated," and even claimed "there was no clash ... in fact everything is fine here." Later, however, he appeared to admit that the scenes "were unacceptable." He said, "It’s clear that some people didn’t come here to watch football. They’ve covered their faces and then brought shame on their country" (GUARDIAN, 6/12).
SAS STRIKE: REUTERS' Philip O'Connor wrote thousands of Swedish football fans planning to travel to France for the European championship "could be left stranded if a strike by pilots at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is not resolved in time." The strike, which started on Friday after wage talks broke down, "led to the cancellation of 220 flights on Sunday affecting 26,000 passengers, many of them travelling to France where Sweden play Ireland on Monday." Negotiations began again on Sunday "to try to end the dispute." With some 20,000 Swedes expected to travel to Paris for their side's opening Group E game at the Stade de France and a limited number of alternative flights available, "some have been going to great lengths to make other arrangements" (REUTERS, 6/12).
