German, Ukrainian fans clash at Euro 2016

Germany supporters cheer for their team ahead of the Euro 2016 group C football match betw
AFP

Lille (France) (AFP) – German football fans clashed with Ukrainian supporters in the French city of Lille on Sunday in the latest outbreak of violence at Euro 2016, an AFP photographer said.

The Germans lobbed bottles and punched Ukrainian rivals for several minutes in the trouble near the northern city’s train station.

More than 50 known German hooligans were involved in the fighting, according to a German police source quoted by German sports news agency SID.

“There were no arrests and the police did not need to intervene,” police told AFP.

German police said Sunday they arrested 21 hooligans on Sunday who were trying to make their way to France for the match in Lille. One group was carrying helmets and gumshields, reports said.

Germany has also shared with French authorities a list of 2,500 known hooligans and German police have been deployed in northern France for the match.

World champions Germany play Ukraine in their first match of Euro 2016 at Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Lille on Sunday.

The tournament has been marred by violence in the first three days of action.

UEFA warned England and Russia they could be thrown out of the competition if their fans cause any more violence, after supporters from both countries and French locals fought pitched battles in Marseille on Saturday.

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