How Russian thugs let off firework in middle of England game as signal for ‘Ultra’ hooligans to attack fans


THIS is the shocking moment Russian Ultra thugs issued a violent call-to-arms with a flare during the match with England.

Fan footage shows a red firework being shot into a group of England supporter from a flare-gun smuggled into the Russian end.

Russian hooligans
A flare is shot from the Russian end signalling a ‘call-to-arms’ for Ultra hooligans
Russian thugs
The firework was shot from a flare-gun smuggled into the stadium. The red flame landed in a group of England fans
England v Russia
The fireworks signalled the start of violent clashes inside the stadium in Marseille

Security forces believe it was a signal which sparked bloody violence during and after the match as masked Russian gangs jumped fences and stormed neutral fan zones.

At least 35 people were injured during the ugly scenes in the Marseilles’ Velodrome stadium.

During the match several loud bangs could be heard as fireworks exploded in the stands urging organised hooligans to attack.

Witnesses reported “co-ordinated” attacks by baseball bat and truncheon-wielding Russians in balaclavas.

Families fled as hardcore thugs broke through the feeble security during the 1-1 draw on Saturday evening.

A CS canister fired directly into fans left two England supporters in a critical condition.

More were injured as bottles and missiles were lobbed.

Trouble flared even before kick-off.

Hayley McDaid, 22, from Darlington, told how she was having a drink outside the stadium with friends when organised thugs descended on fans.

Hayley McDaid
Hayley McDaid, centre, told how the violence sparked before the game and described the terrifying scenes as 'regimented'
Russian supporters
Hayley slammed French security for a lack of police presence and questioned a lack of bag checks
england v russia
Bangs and fireworks could be heard and seen throughout Saturday's 1-1 draw

She told the Northern Echo: "I have been to many international football games, but I've never seen anything like that. They were highly organised.

"We heard rumours that Russian fans were attacking England fans, so we stayed away from the city centre and went straight to the stadium.

"We were having a drink and there were England fans there, singing and chanting. Suddenly we saw hundreds of people running towards us.

"No-one knew what was going on.

“We went into a big wide avenue to see and there were hundreds of Russian fans dressed in black T-shirts, with masks and balaclavas, holding glass bottles and baseball bats.

"They were throwing glass bottles in front of them and walking in a regimented line towards us.

"We realised the police were nowhere and everybody was running. I have never seen England fans run like that.

"There were England fans falling on the floor, with blood on their faces, as they were attacked.

"Then we saw the police were bringing up the rear and eventually they let tear gas out.

"My first thought was that kick-off would be postponed but it wasn't.

"It was very organised - I think it was planned.

“The Russians were very regimented, really menacing.

“They weren't scattered and dispersed, they stayed together just like an army would."

French police used tear gas to disperse the thugs.

Hayley criticised French security saying there were no bag checks and a lack of police presence.

She added: “My worry is that UEFA are running a major international tournament and not checking people's bags.

“And when Russians charged there were only stewards there to stop them, no police."

Russian attacks
Russians stormed 'neutral' areas and attacked England fans. UEFA have promised tough action of future violence

Russian Ultras have gloated about the attacks, posting pictures to its social media accounts mocking the English and promising more violence.

Hillsborough survivor Steve McLean, 47, and son Jude, 14, have told of how Russian thugs stampeded across their seats at the final whistle.

Steve said: “We were confronted with gangs of savages, musclemen thugs with faces full of hate.
“They looked insane with gritted teeth and clenched fists punching anyone in their path.”

Euro 2016 has been marred by hooliganism and fighting in the streets.

UEFA has threatened tough sanctions if the violence continues and both Russia and England face the possibility of being expelled from the tournament.

Only Russia has been charged over the clashes.

The UK Government has offered to send extra British police to France ahead of England's next match against Wales in Lens on Thursday.


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