Heartache for England as fighting overshadows football
PARIS: Russia captain Vasili Berezutsky inflicted Euro 2016 heartache on England on Saturday after a day in which fan violence brought new shame on football.
Fighting fans, tear gas and riot police returned to the streets of Marseille on Saturday, before and after England’s 1-1 draw with Russia.
Clashes between England and Russia supporters even broke out inside the Stade Velodrome at the final whistle, after Berezutsky headed the equaliser in stoppage time.
England had been heading for a win in their opening Group ‘B’ match after midfielder Eric Dier fired a superb 20-metre free kick past veteran goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the 73rd minute.
But two minutes into injury time, England goalkeeper Joe Hart remained stuck to the ground as Berezutsky rose to send a looping header into the net.
“We got so close to a victory that would have been a deserved victory. So to lose it in the final minutes, it’s a tough pill to swallow,” said England manager Roy Hodgson.
England’s players walked disconsolately off while more scuffles in the Stade Velodrome erupted as fans left.
The fighting came on a third straight day of hooliganism in the Mediterranean port city. The latest incidents prompted police to use water cannons on the troublemakers.
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said one British citizen was “seriously injured” in the clashes.
“Once again, as over the last 30 years, an international football competition has been the scene of clashes between violent people claiming to be supporters of their national team,” Cazeneuve said in a statement.