Euro 2016: Fan attacked and thrown into sea during violent clashes in Marseille

The football supporter swims to shore after being thrown into the harbour
Niall Carson/PA Wire
Hatty Collier10 June 2016

A football supporter was attacked and thrown into the sea by hooligans as the opening night of the Euro 2016 tournament was marred by violence.

The fan was hurled over the harbour wall by brawling supporters during violent clashes in Marseille.

Hooligans, believed to be French, were pictured beating the man, who was dressed in an orange t-shirt, as he lay on the floor.

He was then photographed swimming to the shore sporting a black eye, after being thrown into the water.

Violence: A woman watches as football fans set upon an England supporter

Tear gas was deployed by officers trying to disperse the troublemakers but the ugly skirmishes continued as darkness fell.

Bare-chested England fans dodged the gas deployed by police, who also charged at supporters in attempts to scatter them.

Fist fights broke out between English and French speaking men in the historic city’s port – the site of three days of violent clashes nearly 20 years ago during the 1998 World Cup.

Fans clash with police in Marseille for second day

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Police with helmets, batons and shields stood shoulder to shoulder along the cobbled street facing a line of England fans, some of whom threw bottles.

A fan wearing a red England shirt was handcuffed and arrested.

Following the skirmishes, which began at around 6.20pm, defiant fans continued to sing songs about the IRA, German bombers being shot down and the national anthem.

The start of the tournament, officially marked by the curtain-raiser between the hosts and Romania in Paris, has been overshadowed by images of brawls between rival supporters, violence and confrontations with local police.

French police use tear gas against England supporters
AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Supporters are in Marseille ahead of England's game with Russia on Saturday.

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