Twenty Russian fans deported from France over accusations of hooliganism
Saturday 18 June 2016 16:16, UK
A group of 20 Russian football fans has been deported from France after being accused of involvement in hooliganism at Euro 2016.
The deportations from Nice airport follow mass fighting in the streets in Marseille involving English, Russian and French fans in the run-up to last week's 1-1 draw between England and Russia.
The fans had been accused by Marseille prefect Stephane Bouillon of "participation in skirmishes linked to the England-Russia game".
Despite their impending removal from France, Alexander Shprygin, the leader of a Russian fan group who was among the 20 to be deported, said that their visas would not be cancelled and all planned to return to France for Monday's match against Wales.
"What has happened to us is a complete outrage," Shprygin said by phone from the airport, adding the 20 were not involved in any disorder.
Shprygin, who heads the government-linked All-Russian Fans' Union, has been accused of far-right links and admitted posting far-right symbols online but denies he or his organisation are racist.
The 20 were part of a larger group of Russians who were detained by French authorities on Tuesday, after Russian hooligan groups were involved in attacks inside and outside the stadium in Marseille last Saturday.
Three Russian fans were convicted of offences related to the violence and sentenced to prison terms of between one and two years, with video evidence playing a key role in the trial, including footage of the disorder filmed by another Russian fan and posted online.
Meanwhile, five Russians arrested in the German city of Cologne after attacking a group of Spanish tourists have been placed in custody.
"A judge issued a warrant against the five men who have been placed in detention," said a Cologne police spokesperson, adding that a sixth man had been released due to insufficient charges.
German police said the men acted in an "extremely aggressive and brutal manner" towards three Spanish nationals - two tourists and their guide - on Thursday.
The Russians "beat and kicked" their victims, leaving one seriously wounded, police said, without giving details on what sparked the attack.
The suspects aged 26 to 30 years were making a stop at the western city of Cologne after leaving Marseille following last weekend's game.
