Violent clashes in Marseille on eve of England's opening Euro 2016 game

Updated

Violent clashes overshadowed the build up to England's opening game of Euro 2016 as fans were involved in widespread disorder across Marseille.

Disturbing footage of the ugly scenes showed English fans pelting objects into the street, showering the police with bottles and throwing chairs out of cafes.

Flares were also lit as officers deployed tear gas in an effort to disperse the troublemakers throughout the day.

Bare-chested England fans sang songs about the IRA and German bombers being shot down as violence first broke out at around 6.20pm French time outside the Queen Victoria pub in the Old Port district.

Fist fights broke out between English, French and Russian-speaking men, and one man was thrown into the harbour after he was beaten to the ground by local fans.

It comes before the England team have even kicked a ball in the tournament, with their opening game against Russia to be played at the city's Stade Velodrome.

This, the second night of violence, followed an England supporter suffering a head injury in Thursday night's brawl after being hit across the face with a wooden chair.

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