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11th Jun 2016

Videos show Russian fans charge at England supporters inside the stadium after final whistle

This is not what we want to see.

Conan Doherty

Our reporter, Conan Doherty, was inside the stadium for the match, and this is what he saw…

The build-up to Saturday night’s England and Russia game in Marseille has been real ugly at times.

Images, videos, news stories of the scenes on the south of France have already left a sour taste in the mouth but it continues.

A minority of fans have been involved in flash-points far too often in the build-up to a football match. A football match.

Outside the Stade Véledrome on Saturday evening ahead of the clash with England and Russia, spirits were good. It was a party atmosphere, English fans were singing, Russian fans were getting pictures taking and it all just lent itself to a celebration. It lent itself to what European Championships should be about.

Every so often though, the mood would be dampened with the sound and ominous sightings of handfuls of sirens streaming by. Obviously headed for trouble.

And, after Russia grabbed a last-gasp equaliser in the game that disappointingly will play second fiddle to the trouble, it sparked even more violence which UEFA were quick to officially condemn.

After the final whistle it appeared as if Russian fans hurdled the inadequate segregation and charged at England fans.

Punches were thrown, stewards struggled and then fences were being jumped as the crowd ran outside into the Marseille night looking to be in no hurry for calming peace talks.