Fifteen fans injured after Russian
and Polish fans clashed in Warsaw after European Championship group game.
Reports in the Russian
press that one football supporter has died after violence broke before and
after the European Championship group game have been denied. Russian fans had
planned to march through the capital before the fixture to mark Russia Day, the
date of the break-up of the Soviet Union but Polish fans reacted by throwing
missiles at supporters travelling towards the National Stadium. Armed police
made several arrests during the march and broke up scuffles. Around 20,000
Russia fans were in the city. Against a backdrop of centuries of conflict
between the two nations, police were ready for trouble, with both sections of
support known for high levels of hooliganism.
Problems arose
as supporters fanned out across the city away from the agreed routes to the
stadium. While Polish fans lined the bridge on the way to the National Stadium,
they were said to have been provoked by displays of patriotism from Russian
fans, which included the unveiling the country's flag as the march continued.
In a separate incident, it is understood that 50 masked Polish fans ambushed
Russian supporters in a Warsaw cafe. The incidents come as allegations of
racial abuse continue to mar the tournament. Players from Netherlands, Italy
and Czech Republic have all complained of abuse from sections of Polish support
during a training session in Krakow and matches in Gdansk and Poznan. Uefa has
confirmed it will investigate the reports, but said that referees have the
power to remove players from the field of play for excessive abuse. To
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