Euro 2016: Market Drayton football fan tells of violence at England v Russia match

Richard Sharpe, of Market Drayton, was among the England supporters attending the game against Russia in Marseille.

The 26-year-old said he saw a lot of injured fans, many of whom were covered in blood, despite there appearing to be no signs of trouble for much of the game.

He said the vast majority of both England and Russian fans were good humoured and well behaved, but spoke of the atmosphere turning nasty as fans were attacked by men in masks.

"We drove in to Marseille around three hours before the game and stopped in a local bar that was full of England and Russia fans who were mingling together. The atmosphere was good and I never felt in danger," he said.

"Our seats at the game were behind the goal where England scored, with England fans all around.

"Behind the other goal was around 4,000 Russia fans with another section on the side. There were some England fans next to the Russian fans, with some stewards and tarpaulin ?in between.

"For 85 minutes things were fine, then some Russian fans began letting off flares and fireworks. We later learned this was a sign for the Russia fans, some we were told were wearing gloves and gum shields, to storm the England fans.

"As it happened, Russia scored in the 90th minute and then around 200 to 300 of them stormed over to the England fans who I could see were fleeing over the barrier to escape.

"There were messages on the screens in the ground for Russia fans to stay in their seats after the final whistle, but that didn't seem to happen.

"We heard there was trouble after the game, things been thrown, and tear gas being used, and the atmosphere wasn't the best so we made a quick getaway.

"We've heard lots of stories since of England fans being attacked, and there were plenty of bloodied and injured fans we saw in the stadium.

"The atmosphere inside the ground, in the England end, was terrific and for 89 minutes what happened on and off the pitch was brilliant."

Mr Sharpe, who is staying in campsites in the south of France until June 23 with a group of friends, fears there could be more trouble to follow between fans during the rest of the tournament.

Both England and Russian fans are likely to come across each other in fan parks this week.

"The worry now is that England and Russia play their next games around 20 minutes from each other in Lens and Lille, one on Wednesday and the other on Thursday, ?so there are fears of further trouble," he added.

Authorities yesterday said a group of 150 Russians were behind the majority of violence in Marseille before the Euro 2016 match between England and Russia.

Brice Robin, the chief prosecutor in Marseille, said 20 people had been arrested and 10 people, including six Britons, faced an immediate trial. A 16-year-old Briton was among those arrested, charged for throwing bottles.

At least 35 people were injured in the clashes, including four who were said to be in a serious condition.

Mr Robin told a press conference in Marseille that 150 "hyper-rapid and hyper-violent" Russians arrived by train.

He said: "These are extremely well trained people."

Russian fans were seen carrying equipment for assaults, including gum shields, fighting equipment and mixed martial arts gloves. Two Russian nationals have been expelled from the country.