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EURO 2016

England fan's life in danger after clash with Russians leaves dozens injured

A British man was in hospital in critical condition after clashes broke out between rival football fans attending the Euro 2016 England-Russia match in Marseille on Saturday. At least 34 people were injured. Similar scenes of chaos were also reported in Nice and Lyon.

An England fan hurls a chair ahead of England's Euro2016 match in Marseille
An England fan hurls a chair ahead of England's Euro2016 match in Marseille Reuters
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The England supporter, a man in his 50s, suffered a heart attack after being hit on the head with an iron bar, Le Monde newspaper reports.

He was rushed to hospital after a police officer gave him emergency first aid.

Three people were reported to be in a serious but not life-threatening condition, Le Monde said on Sunday.

Pitch battles on Old Port

English and Russian supporters fought pitched battles with bottles and chairs in the Old Port district of Marseille ahead of their countries' Euro Championships opener last night.

The violence also spilled over into the match. At the end of the 1-1 draw in the Stade Vélodrome, Russian fans charged into the England supporters' section and scuffles broke out.

Six people were arrested, adding to seven held in the district on Friday night in similar disturbances.

The scenes in Marseille were reminiscent of the 1998 World Cup, when English and Tunisian fans brawled in the port city in some of the worst violence ever seen at a football tournament.

More violence in Nice, Lyon

Saturday's unrest also spread to Nice, where where Northern Ireland play Poland Sunday.

Northern Ireland fans were drawn into a 45-minute brawl fights with local youths, leaving seven injured.

In Lyon, meanwhile, four French men aged between 20 and 24 were briefly detained following a fight in a bar where England fans had been drinking, police said.

Witnesses said the French men attacked the England supporters.

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