Euro 2016: England fans were provoked after police required tear gas to halt violent clashes with French locals
O'Malley's bar manager Anthony Heraud tells Ian Herbert that a large group of English fans were provoked by French locals in Marseilles as violent clashes mar tournament build-up
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Your support makes all the difference.The manager of a bar where English fans were involved in running clashes with locals claimed on Friday that French troublemakers from outside Marseilles had deliberately provoked the violence.
French police fired tear gas and released dogs after midnight in Marseilles’ Old Port area, where some estimates suggest 2,000 fans England had gathered yesterday evening at three pubs. But though two English fans have been arrested, Anthony Heraud, manager of O’Malley’s bar, said that the French had turned up intent on provoking the visiting fans.
“There were problem with people from outside Marseilles. They come for provocation, he said. “The English fans were cool, no fights. It was over in three minutes. Police used [tear] gas. They use it on everybody, many people. The English people are not happy but it is what happens.” Mr Heraud said that bottle throwing by the French had started the clashes at a time when around 700 mainly English fans were in his bar.
Supporters caught up in the violence and tear gas said police had cordoned off a large area outside the pub and were present in substantial numbers by 9pm, possibly aware that there may be problems between locals and the English fans. The English had been a very visible presence all day – singing the national anthem throughout the afternoon and late into the evening.
Fan Jamie Hazel, from Hertfordshire, said that an initial problem occurred when French fans tried to sell the English tickets for tomorrow night’s opening game against Russia. Bottles were then thrown and English fans responded by hurling tables towards the French. The police then released several dogs and tear gas canisters. “We thought the French were trying to rip off English fans [with their tickets],” he said. “Police spotted there was something going on, came over, and before they could do anything there was glass coming over and about 50 to 100 people coming around the corner with masks on. The police got in the middle and the tear gas came out. It was very frightening, not something you want before the tournament has been started.”
Mr Hazel said that the police had responded well and that the tear gas was necessary.
Another fan, John Hoolahan, from Derby, said: “You are not going to have a bottle thrown over the top at you and not retaliate. You know what the headlines are going to be like but you are not going to have bottles coming over the top.”
Around 50 fans had gathered again at the Queen Victoria pub, adjacent to O’Malleys, on Friday, where there was a police presence. Some officers stopped to speak to the fans, others inspected the pubs and yet more patrolled the area on bicycles. Despite fears that hard core Russian fans will be the prime source of trouble in the next 48 hours, there is anecdotal evidence of supporters from that country chatting with the English last night and one even helping an Englishman to get away from violence, and advising him to turn his England shirt inside out.
A statement from British police confirmed that the English fans were provoked by locals, and said that they were not aware of any other incidents occurring on Thursday night.
Assistant chief constable Mark Roberts of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Football Policing said in a statement: “England supporters had been in Marseilles yesterday without issue. At around midnight, there was a short confrontation where a group of approximately 70 local youths approached a pub where England fans had congregated. This was quickly dealt with by French police and one English supporter was arrested. We are aware of no further incidents overnight.
“English police officers continue to work closely with their French colleagues in Marseilles and will identify supporters who misbehave with a view to seek banning orders on their return to the UK.”
English officers have always felt that this fixture creates the most potential for violence, because of the hot weather and likelihood that thousands of French locals will be out enjoying the sunshine and celebrating Ramadan. There were reports today of some England fans shouting ‘Isis where are you?’ though a main object of their chants was Scotland – the only home nation not to have made it to these championships. Fans may be spread further afield tonight when the Fanzone on the Mediterranean coast is opened. Initially, the boisterous English fans had been greeted warmly by French passers-by, who shouted at them from vehicles and honked horns yesterday afternoon. One England fan has been arrested for assaulting a barman and the other for violent disorder.
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