By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 14 – As UEFA prepares to announce what action it has taken against the Russian FA following the mayhem caused by an apparently well-trained group of 150 hooligans at the already notorious game against England in Marseille last weekend, the English FA has expressed “serious concerns” about security in the northern city of Lille, which it is feared could be another flashpoint between rival supporters.
Russia play Slovakia in Lille tomorrow, with England lining up against Wales the following day in Lens, the smallest of all the Euro cities. The two venues are just 40 kms apart and many England fans are staying in Lille ahead of their own fixture.
Those without tickets have been advised to stay in Lille rather than swamp Lens which has a population of just 40,000 and which many observers feel should not have been selected as a venue.
Six England fans were jailed after last Saturday’s fixture and UEFA have warned
that both teams could face sanctions if there is any further violence. Russia has already been charged by UEFA over crowd disturbances, racist behaviour by fans and the setting off of fireworks at the game, with a decision imminent.
With the threat of explusion hanging over England, just like at Euro 2000, FA chairman Greg Dyke has been quick to reject the suggestion that England fans were at fault for scenes inside the Stade Velodrome in contrast to the disruption in the preceding 48 hours.
In a letter emailed to Theodore Theodoridis, UEFA’s interim general secretary, Dyke condemned the stewarding and segregation.
“The implication in your jointly-addressed letter is that English fans were in part responsible for the terrible incidents at the end of the match with Russia,” he wrote.
“This is contradicted both by the video evidence and by the fact your independent disciplinary bodies have only instigated sanctions against the Russian Football Union.”
Dyke said the stewarding in the stadium was “unacceptable” as supporters were able to get in with fireworks and flares, and there was “insufficient segregation” between England and Russian fans.
“A minority of English fans were clearly involved in some of those incidents and that is extremely disappointing to us all, but please also recognise that tens of thousands have behaved in a positive way,” he wrote.
“We believe the stewarding arrangements in place were unacceptable. Supporters were able to get in with fireworks and flares, and then let them off, and there was insufficient segregation between the Russian and English fans, particularly given the events of the previous two days.”
Those “events”, it should be stressed, related to clashes in Marseille’s old port where alcohol-fuelled England fans were reported to be equally culpable.
Dyke said the FA welcomed a freshly tightened alcohol ban by the French authorities across host cities “particularly in Lille”.
“Whilst we will be working hard to positively influence behaviour we have serious concerns around the security arrangements for the city in the next few days,” said Dyke. “These concerns are heightened with the knowledge that Russia will play in Lille on Wednesday afternoon.”
“We know that UK Police authorities are stepping up their support on the ground, but we would urge you to bring the policing authorities in both Lille and Lens together as soon as possible to ensure there is a co-ordinated and effective plan in place.”
England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have already appealed directly to the fans to behave themselves. Thousands of supporters are expected to follow the action at fan zones in both Lens and Lille despite ticketless fans being urged not to travel to the former.
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