Football cop says Euro violence won't be repeated in England

A top football cop has dismissed suggestions that the violence seen at Euro 2016 could spark trouble at domestic games next season.
This is the moment a gang of violent Russian thugs apparently goaded English football fans - before an organised troop of 150 yobs "ambushed" the Brits.  See SWNS story SWFOOTIE.  A stunned England fan said the opposing fans were like an "army" when they targeted him and his friends in an alleyway in Marseille.  The video appears to show a few dozen Russian fans pelting bottles at the British travelling fans, causing them to fight back.  But the 24-year-old fan from Wigan who took the video said it was part of a well-practised plan, and as soon as England fans reacted they were mobbed.  The five-minute long clips shows the Brits being swamped and rushed by the opposing fans, who apparently emerged from hiding in adjoining alleyways.  Wearing MMA gloves and masks - including a terrifying 'Scream' face covering - the thugs can be seen pelting bottles before taking cover under chairs to charge forward. Punches are thrown while glass can be heard raining down on the pumped-up English fans in the frightening footaThis is the moment a gang of violent Russian thugs apparently goaded English football fans - before an organised troop of 150 yobs "ambushed" the Brits.  See SWNS story SWFOOTIE.  A stunned England fan said the opposing fans were like an "army" when they targeted him and his friends in an alleyway in Marseille.  The video appears to show a few dozen Russian fans pelting bottles at the British travelling fans, causing them to fight back.  But the 24-year-old fan from Wigan who took the video said it was part of a well-practised plan, and as soon as England fans reacted they were mobbed.  The five-minute long clips shows the Brits being swamped and rushed by the opposing fans, who apparently emerged from hiding in adjoining alleyways.  Wearing MMA gloves and masks - including a terrifying 'Scream' face covering - the thugs can be seen pelting bottles before taking cover under chairs to charge forward. Punches are thrown while glass can be heard raining down on the pumped-up English fans in the frightening foota
This is the moment a gang of violent Russian thugs apparently goaded English football fans - before an organised troop of 150 yobs "ambushed" the Brits. See SWNS story SWFOOTIE. A stunned England fan said the opposing fans were like an "army" when they targeted him and his friends in an alleyway in Marseille. The video appears to show a few dozen Russian fans pelting bottles at the British travelling fans, causing them to fight back. But the 24-year-old fan from Wigan who took the video said it was part of a well-practised plan, and as soon as England fans reacted they were mobbed. The five-minute long clips shows the Brits being swamped and rushed by the opposing fans, who apparently emerged from hiding in adjoining alleyways. Wearing MMA gloves and masks - including a terrifying 'Scream' face covering - the thugs can be seen pelting bottles before taking cover under chairs to charge forward. Punches are thrown while glass can be heard raining down on the pumped-up English fans in the frightening foota

Chief Inspector Neil Williams, who regularly works as a matchday commander at Mansfield Town, says a ‘tried and tested formula’ is used to control known troublecausers.

“What most clubs throughout the country have is a risk element, and the key to a good policing operation is to control that risk element,” Mr Williams told Mansfield 103.2.

“If you identify and control that risk element then you won’t have any problems.

“The three clubs we have in Nottinghamshire, yes we have a risk element to each of those clubs but they are a very small minority.

“We identify where the risk elements are - if they want to go and watch the match they are entitled to like everybody else, but we make sure they don’t have any opportunities to cause disorder.

“There are the odd occasions where you will get sporadic pockets of disorder but we deal with them quickly and effectively.

“I don’t see what is happening in France as an indicator that next season we are going to have real problems for English football.”

The European Championships in France have been marred by violence, much of it involving England fans in the days leading up to their first game against Russia on Saturday.

There was also violence inside the stadium in Marseille at the final whistle as the game ended 1-1.

However, both the trouble inside the ground and outside is being blamed more on Russian ‘ultras’, fans looking only to fight, rather than the England supporters.

Russia has since been given a suspended disqualification from the tournament, and will be thrown out if there is further trouble inside the ground for their next game against Slovakia in Lille tomorrow, Wednesday, June 15.

Meanwhile six English fans have already been jailed in France for their part in the violence.

Mr Williams said: “My initial reaction is that I’m very disappointed that there has been disorder.

“These football competitions are family events for children to go and enjoy.

“They should not have to put with a small minority who want to go out and cause disorder, it ruins it for everybody.”