Violence mars England’s 1-1 draw with Russia at Euro 2016

At the final whistle hundreds of Russian fans broke through a feeble security cordon at the southern end of the ground to attack their England counterparts who made a hasty retreat towards the exits.

The badly injured man is British, age 51, Duroselle said.

About 1,000 police will be deployed in the Mediterranean city as up to 70,000 England fans and 20,000 Russians arrive ahead of the match between the two countries.

The last time England played an global tournament game in Marseille – in the 1998 World Cup – around 500 England fans held pitched battles with rival supporters on the beach, flinging stones and bottles.

Families, women and elderly couples picked their way around the broken glass strewn across the cobbled streets of the historic quay side, a renowned tourist site, as the sirens of police vans and fire engines mingled with the constant chanting of England fans.

Officials say at least 44 people were wounded in clashes between fans before and after the game.

England fans were involved in disturbances ahead of their Euro 2016 opener at the Stade Velodrome, pictured.

“UEFA expresses its utter disgust for the violent clashes that occurred in the city centre of Marseille, and its serious concern for the incidents at the end of the match inside Stade Velodrome”, it said in a statement. “They just came out of nowhere, something was thrown and that started it all off”, said one England supporter, who asked not to be named.

Barbaric footage emerged of fans from Russian Federation and England marauding through the streets, with people being punched and kicked as they lay on the floor.

Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane, both new since the World Cup, could play together up front on Saturday, supported by captain Wayne Rooney. “An absolute embarrassment to the country”, tweeted former England striker Gary Lineker.

Seven fans were arrested, police said.

Security forces fired tear gas to disperse fighting fans for a third day in a row, just hours before the match which is one of five Euro games classed as high-risk for hooliganism.

“It’s the English, what do you expect?”

“In 1998 it was the same thing”.

Uefa has no power to take action against England for fans’ behaviour in the streets of the city, where police used tear gas as Three Lions supporters fought with Russians and local French hooligans over three consecutive days. Supt Morgan said: “The chances are there will be clashes, and the French are anxious”. “Everybody else is here to enjoy the football and the French atmosphere”.

The strike is set to continue until Tuesday, when unions have organised nationwide rallies to protest government labour reforms.