Euro 2016 finally got going, and not just ‘on’ the pitch!

International football’s second biggest tournament after FIFA World Cup is a battleground and not just figuratively. Euro 2016 is playing host to continent’s finest teams and players involved in hard fought contests on the turf , but football hooligans converging in France from all across Europe, have made the competition witness bloody clashes taking place in the streets as well.

The build-up to the summer tournament has been shrouded in controversy, with various terror threats from religious extremists putting a damper on the proceedings. But it’s horror of a completely different nature that is engulfing the event currently.

https://twitter.com/EisaAli_RT/status/741631398180749313

Marseille became the early epicentre, where havoc was wreaked by supporters of both England and Russia in the build-up and the aftermath of the 1-1 tie in Group B on Saturday.

Southampton fan Richard Wakefield 'bleeding and shaken' in Marseille riots.Photo: Daily Echo

Supporters clash in the stands after the UEFA EURO 2016 group B preliminary round match.



Russian football hooligans known as the “Ultras” are some of the most notorious football thugs in the world. These hard-core groups which have only exploded on to the scene over the past decade are renowned for displaying neo-Nazi banners, plaguing games with disgusting racist chants, and launching violent attacks on rival fans. But ironically, their origin was developed out of admiration for violent football gangs in their weekend, on and off the pitch, rivals England during the 80s.

https://twitter.com/TheSCRLife/status/741661212744769536

https://twitter.com/TheEuros2016_/status/741654906797428736

Ever since the dark decade, England fans have carried a reputation as perpetrators of hooligan activity, even though watching domestic football in the country is now considered one of the safest in the world. We still however tend to stereotype English football fans as defiant men with tattooed limbs and shaven heads, who are ever-ready to terrorise the terraces. And you shouldn’t be blamed if you still do. A quick little search on amazon.co.uk and you would be flooded with pages after pages on books written on or by English football hooligans.

Barbecue gone wild #Marseille #ENGRUS #ENG #EURO2016 pic.twitter.com/LZc9eFDb9a

— Fabien Randanne (@fabrandanne) June 11, 2016

And who can forget The Football Factory (2004), Green Street Hooligans (2005), Cass (2008), Awaydays (2009) and The Firm (2009). All of them movies dealing with the violent side of the beautiful game in England and more pertinently all of them virtually coming out in the last decade alone. Their reputation is now preceding them!

Back in the day, the English football fan was a creature dreaded across all of Europe. He used to hunt in packs, often shirtless with countless pints of beer in his belly. He posed a chilling threat to public order.

A bloodied England fan. He was taken to hospital. pic.twitter.com/Kwsho3Gzdo

— Sam Cunningham (@samcunningham) June 11, 2016

But that was then. We thought the days of your typical English hooligans are over but what happened in Marseille over the past weekend was history repeating itself and in the most brutal of ways ever. Search Hashtag #Marseilleisours or #Euro2016 on Twitter and you would know for yourself.

England fans throw bottles and clash with police ahead of the game against Russia.Photo: Getty

England fans clash with police ahead of the game against Russia later on June 11 in Marseille.Photo: Skysports

A woman holding a French flag (in pink) throws a beer bottle towards English football fans as they gather in the old town area of Marseille.Photo: Skysports

English football supporters along with their Russian counterparts laid siege to the port city, drinking, brawling, swearing, smashing bottles and heads, and generally giving the law enforcement agencies a chance to earn their salary.

https://twitter.com/TheEuros2016_/status/741657200393850880

You ask why?

What’s the point of this mindless violence?

The answer, there is no definitive explanation!

It’s no epic clash between good and evil, There’s no moral high ground. These are just a bunch of senseless hoodlums who like to make trouble. The ignorance is mind-blowing, the contempt for it absolute!

An injured man is arrested following fights between England, Russian and French groups in Marseille, on June 11, 2016.

UEFA has now given Russia suspended disqualification and €150,000 fine as French authorities are set to deport up to 50 Russian fans.

A Russian football fan suspected of being involved in the Marseille violence is ushered off a coach travelling to Lille.Photo: Reuters

Hooliganism is football’s greatest scourge; one that we thought have been largely consigned to the past but it’s still ready to appear, like a snake from its hole, when the conditions are conducive.

[poll id="611"]