After Russia defeat, police use tear gas to disperse English fans in Lille

Police have used tear gas to disperse crowds of English football fans in the northern city of Lille.

Police have used tear gas to disperse crowds of English football fans in the northern city of Lille.

Police level riot control weapons at fans in the centre of Lille, France. (Reuters Photo)

Police chased large groups of English fans through the back streets around Lille’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.

That was followed by a large mass movement of fans chased by riot police. 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.

Meanwhile, four Russian football fans will be deported from France after being detained in the northern France city of Lille ahead of the Euro 2016 match between Russia and Slovakia, local authorities said on Wednesday.

“Two of the Russians were arrested yesterday evening during a fight in Lille and two after being found drunk in a car with weapons,” a spokesperson at the Lille prefecture said. The weapons were wooden sticks, a police source said.

Three more football fans were arrested on Wednesday morning and were being held for questioning, the police source said, without saying what their nationality was.

The arrests came as thousands of fans arrived in Lille for Wednesday’s match and for the England versus Wales game due to take place on Thursday in nearby Lens amid a heavy police presence and a ban on alcohol in attempts to prevent a repeat of violence that has marred the tournament.