MARSEILLE, France (AP) – Riot police again threw tear gas at rowdy soccer fans in Marseille’s crowded Old Port on Saturday, just hours before England was to play Russia at the European Championship.
It was the third straight day that riot police have used tear gas to disperse hundreds of fans drinking at cafes lining the port.
After the gas drifted away, some bare-chested fans held up England flags and shouted at police.
The violence marred earlier peaceful scenes at the port, when fans mingled with tourists as relaxed police looked on. It also came despite UEFA repeating its appeal to fans to behave, saying it was “confident that the safety of travelling fans will be ensured by the local authorities which are responsible for order in the city.”
Local authorities laid out separate routes to enter the Stade Velodrome for England and Russia fans in an attempt to keep the groups apart before the 9 p.m. (1900 GMT) kickoff of the Group B match. Several hours before the match, small groups of fans were gathering peacefully outside the stadium.