22-06-2016, 09:47
I comment as someone who has followed England over the 3 games arriving the Saturday of the Russia game and getting back home Tuesday.
I'm once again I stress I saw no trouble on the streets of Marseille only in the ground at the end and that was caused by Russians. I'm not saying England fans were totally blameless, when you are followed by tens of thousands you are bound have the odd idiot in there.
One eye witness account I have been told by a couple of Bradford fans was that they were about a block or two back from the old port away from any possible trouble when a van pulled up at a bar up the road a load of Russians piled out of the back and just smashed a restaurant/bar up full of England fans sat down enjoying a bite to eat and having a quiet drink. No provocation what so ever, they said it could quite easily have been them.
In Lens we spent the day before and Matchday in the Town and again so no problems what so ever between anybody. People were drinking,eating and having a good laugh, even the same after the game.
The day before the match in St Etienne we ventured into Lyon where Romania,Albania,Slovakia and England fans were all getting on fine even the odd German looked be be getting on without any bother. Once more plenty of people socialising without anybody...you could even see groups of fans singing each other's songs and having a party.
Yes loads of singing, yes the odd 'German bomber song' and always plenty of 'don't take me home' but all in good spirits. Not once did I see anyone throw a bottle or smash a glass on the floor, not once did I see a fan throw a punch in the street(only the Russians in the ground)not once did I see football fans fighting in the streets and my tour took in Marseiile,Dijon,Lens,Paris and St Etienne.
The atmosphere in the grounds were superb and got better and better with each game, England fans deserve credit where it is due, 99% of England fans out there have been a credit to the Nation and long May that continue....now who want to pay for me a trip to Paris a week on Sunday?
I'm once again I stress I saw no trouble on the streets of Marseille only in the ground at the end and that was caused by Russians. I'm not saying England fans were totally blameless, when you are followed by tens of thousands you are bound have the odd idiot in there.
One eye witness account I have been told by a couple of Bradford fans was that they were about a block or two back from the old port away from any possible trouble when a van pulled up at a bar up the road a load of Russians piled out of the back and just smashed a restaurant/bar up full of England fans sat down enjoying a bite to eat and having a quiet drink. No provocation what so ever, they said it could quite easily have been them.
In Lens we spent the day before and Matchday in the Town and again so no problems what so ever between anybody. People were drinking,eating and having a good laugh, even the same after the game.
The day before the match in St Etienne we ventured into Lyon where Romania,Albania,Slovakia and England fans were all getting on fine even the odd German looked be be getting on without any bother. Once more plenty of people socialising without anybody...you could even see groups of fans singing each other's songs and having a party.
Yes loads of singing, yes the odd 'German bomber song' and always plenty of 'don't take me home' but all in good spirits. Not once did I see anyone throw a bottle or smash a glass on the floor, not once did I see a fan throw a punch in the street(only the Russians in the ground)not once did I see football fans fighting in the streets and my tour took in Marseiile,Dijon,Lens,Paris and St Etienne.
The atmosphere in the grounds were superb and got better and better with each game, England fans deserve credit where it is due, 99% of England fans out there have been a credit to the Nation and long May that continue....now who want to pay for me a trip to Paris a week on Sunday?