Tooled up
England fans attacked by 300 Russian hooligans wearing gum shields and MMA gloves in brutal coordinated attack in Marseilles
Nineteen Brits were hospitalised following assaults by thugs brandishing truncheons and hurling flares
TRUNCHEON-wielding Russian fans wearing gum-shields and balaclavas left 19 British people in hospital after “frightening and coordinated” attacks in Marseilles last night.
Four England supporters were left in a critical condition after being battered by thugs wearing bum bags containing fighting equipment including mixed martial art gloves.
11
reports that Three Lions fans ‘ran for their lives’ after being outnumbered by Russian hooligans who were sporting black t-shirts branded with the names of club sides Lokomotiv Moscow and CSKA Moscow sides.
British police, who have no jurisdiction on foreign soil, were also caught up in the violence in their role assisting French authorities.
A UK officer provided medical assistance to the first supporter injured in the brutal attacks.
Violence also marred England’s opening Euro 2016 match with Russia with hooligans even firing a flare gun into the Three Lions fans.
The major security breach comes after tournament organisers promised 'unprecedented' levels of security to protect stadiums against possible terrorist attacks.
11
11
11
Earlier this week, intrepid Sun reporter Ross Kempsell uncovered the woeful lack of security at the stadium by easily breaching the security perimeter.
French police have also been slammed for their heavy-handed tactics in Marseille in dealing with England fans who have been to attacks by both French and Russian gangs.
During the match last – which finished 1-1 – Russians supporters set off smoke bombs, fireworks and flares.
And when hooligans carrying weapons charged fleeing England fans – the stadium’s stewards, and not the police, were left to deal with the ensuing chaos.
RELATED STORIES
Speaking with Sky News, supporter Mark Leader said the Russian fans started 'smacking everyone they could'.
He said: “We had to run, jump down seats, (we) jumped over a fence, people (were) jumping 10-foot just landing on their heads and their backs just trying to get away. People just had to run.
'It was pretty frightening. If you didn't get away, you got hit, it was pretty simple. So people just ran.”
Another fan Ian Lane, 40, described the moment the flare was thrown.
11
11
11
11
He said: “A flare was thrown at us before the Russians charged inside the stadium."
A fan who only wanted to be identified as Liam, 32, said the gum shield wearing thugs looked like they came ready to fight.
He said: “They were putting in gum shields too. There is no doubt that this lot came prepared. The attacks were savage and coordinated.”
European football’s governing body, UEFA, has confirmed it will investigate the violence within the stadium.
11
11
11
In a statement it said: “People engaging in such violent acts have no place in football'.
Football Association spokesman Mark Whittle said: “'The FA is very disappointed by the terrible scenes that we saw there and of course condemns such behaviour.”
Whittle called on French police “to identify those involved in the troubles and deal with them appropriately and quickly”.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368