French police fired tear gas to break up clashes between England soccer fans and local people in the Mediterranean city of Marseille on Thursday night on the eve of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament. A police official said about 100 England fans and 50 residents were involved in the fracas in the streets around the Vieux Port (Old Port) area. Chairs were hurled around and windows smashed before police gained control. Two fans were arrested and four officers slightly hurt in the clashes, police said.
Early on Friday, hundreds of fans congregating in the bars of the city, with the Queen Victoria pub again the focal point, although the mood was relaxed. Up to 70,000 England fans and 20,000 Russians are expected to arrive throughout the day and on Saturday ahead of the match between the two countries.