Euro 2016 England Fans Clash With Russian Supporters And Police Hours From Kick off

'They threw everything at us - chairs, bottles - and they slashed us with knives.'

An England supporter is said to be in a critical condition and two others have been seriously hurt following a third day of violent clashes in Marseille.

The Mirror reported that a gang of 20 or so Russian fans all clad in black had been hunting England supporters. Violence was said to have flared up in the Old Port area around 4.15pm on Saturday.

Police reportedly fired tear gas to disperse crowds and riot police with dogs had moved in to separate rival fans who have clashed for three days now.

An injured England fan is detained by police and violence erupted for a third day between British and Russian fans and police in Marseille
An injured England fan is detained by police and violence erupted for a third day between British and Russian fans and police in Marseille
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A middle-aged England fan was jumped by a group of Russians, who pinned him to the floor and stole his shirt, the newspaper reported.

Photos from the clashes also showed paramedics battling to save the life of an England supporter who was thought to have suffered a cardiac arrest after being beaten by Russian fans.

French media said the fan was English and described him as "between life and death".

Mirror reporter Martin Fricker filmed footage of riot police throwing tear gas canisters and stun grenades into the crowd, while his colleague Andy Lines reported "terrible scenes".

According to the MailOnline, one middle-aged England fan was knocked unconscious after Russian hooligans - some wielding knives - charged at England supporters. It said dozens of England supporters had been injured.

England fans blamed Russian hooligans for this latest outbreak of violence. One fan told the website: "It was the Russians that sparked it all off.

"A whole gang of the [Russians] came right into the middle of everything and started throwing punches."

Another said: "There's this group of Russians who are proper mental. They threw everything at us - chairs, bottles - and they slashed us with knives. The French are also having a go.'

The clashes in Marseille resumed Saturday after trouble last night continued well into the early hours.

Meanwhile, Sky quoted sources as saying UK officers had met their French counterparts to discuss policing around tonight's match. The broadcaster claimed that there was concern that British advice on controlling England fans was being ignored.

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An injured England fan is arrested after clashes ahead of the game against Russia
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An England fan kicks away a tear gas canister after tear gas was released by French police in the city of Marseille ahead of the Euro 2016 football match between England and Russia
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An England fan is detained by police personnel following clashes between England fans and police in Marseille
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Tear gas is fired at England fans as they gather in the city of Marseille
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Tear gas is fired at England fans
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England fans help each other after suffering the effects of tear gas
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Police spray tear gas as England fans clash ahead of the game against Russia on Saturday in Marseille, France
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Tear gas is fired at England fans as they gather in the city of Marseille
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Police personnel attend to an injured fan following clashes between England fans and police
Carl Court via Getty Images
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JUNE 11: An England fan is unconscious on the ground after clashes ahead of the game against Russia later today on June 11, 2016 in Marseille, France. Football fans from around Europe have descended on France for the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
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