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Euro 2016: Russian FM blames England supporters for provocation | Euro 2016: Russian FM blames England supporters for provocation |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said it is impossible to ignore "outrageous provocations" by England football fans at the Euro 2016 tournament in France. | Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said it is impossible to ignore "outrageous provocations" by England football fans at the Euro 2016 tournament in France. |
Russia was given a fine and suspended disqualification following violence at the Russia-England match on Saturday. | Russia was given a fine and suspended disqualification following violence at the Russia-England match on Saturday. |
Mr Lavrov also rebuked police for stopping a bus of Russian fans. | |
France is to expel four Russians arrested for disorder in Lille, where there are fears of new violence. | |
Russia fans are in the northern city for a match with Slovakia but Lille is also being used as a base by supporters of England and Wales, who are due to play in nearby Lens on Thursday. | |
Mr Lavrov told parliament that overall it was unacceptable to behave as some Russian fans did, in taking flares to a game of football. | Mr Lavrov told parliament that overall it was unacceptable to behave as some Russian fans did, in taking flares to a game of football. |
But he complained there was an attempt to ignore violence by others. | But he complained there was an attempt to ignore violence by others. |
"We cannot close our eyes to the absolutely provocative actions by supporters from other countries," he said. | "We cannot close our eyes to the absolutely provocative actions by supporters from other countries," he said. |
"You have probably seen the outrageous images on TV when the Russian flag is getting stamped on," he said, referring to images of an England fan jumping on a Russian flag. | "You have probably seen the outrageous images on TV when the Russian flag is getting stamped on," he said, referring to images of an England fan jumping on a Russian flag. |
"You certainly should not respond with force but we cannot ignore those provocateurs", he added. | "You certainly should not respond with force but we cannot ignore those provocateurs", he added. |
'Absolutely unacceptable' | 'Absolutely unacceptable' |
He was also indignant about the treatment of Russian fans by French police. | He was also indignant about the treatment of Russian fans by French police. |
They blamed 150 "well-trained" Russian hooligans for clashes before England played Russia in Marseille at the weekend. | They blamed 150 "well-trained" Russian hooligans for clashes before England played Russia in Marseille at the weekend. |
A bus carrying fans was stopped in a police operation near Cannes on Tuesday, and some of those Russia supporters are now being deported. | A bus carrying fans was stopped in a police operation near Cannes on Tuesday, and some of those Russia supporters are now being deported. |
"It was an absolutely unacceptable incident," Mr Lavrov said, referring to the arrests. | "It was an absolutely unacceptable incident," Mr Lavrov said, referring to the arrests. |
English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke expressed "serious concerns" about security in Lille. | |
The local prefect's office announced on Wednesday that four Russians would be expelled, two for a scuffle near a railway station, and two who had been found with a baseball bat and a hammer in their car during a vehicle check. | |
Three other Russians were detained on Wednesday morning, it added. | |
The French authorities have pledged to increase security in Lens, deploying 2,400 police, gendarmes, security guards and a riot squad. | |
Drinking alcohol in the streets has also been banned. | Drinking alcohol in the streets has also been banned. |
Up to 50,000 England fans are expected in Lens despite the fact that the 35,000-capacity stadium has already sold out. | Up to 50,000 England fans are expected in Lens despite the fact that the 35,000-capacity stadium has already sold out. |