France has expelled far-right leader of the Russian soccer supporters’ association Alexander Shprygin following violence at the England-Russia Euro 2016 match in Marseille.
Alexander Shprygin is among 20 Russian fans being deported.
They were detained on June 14 while traveling from Marseille to Lille to watch Russia vs. Slovakia.
Three other detained Russian fans have been jailed for up to two years over the violence in Marseille.
They are also banned from re-entering France for two years. The men received 12, 18 and 24 months in prison.
The arrests have angered Moscow, which summoned the French ambassador to protest.
A Russian foreign ministry statement warned against “further stoking of anti-Russian sentiments”.
Deputy foreign minister Arkady Dvorkovich was quoted by the Tass news agency as saying blacklists of troublemakers would be drawn up before the 2018 World Cup, which Russia is hosting.
Arkady Dvorkovich said those accused of violence in France may yet face trial in Russia.
“We need to figure out who did what,” he said.
Alexander Shprygin’s All-Russia Supporters Union is backed by the Kremlin. He is reported to hold far-right views and has been photographed giving a Nazi salute.
A statement from the union said Alexander Shprygin and the other 19 fans had been transferred to a deportation centre from which they will be expelled in the next five days.
It said the French authorities were taking the measures for “security reasons”.
Russia and England fans clashed before and after the two teams played on Saturday.
French police blamed 150 “well-trained” Russian hooligans for the violence.
Afterwards, Russia was hit with a fine and a suspended disqualification, meaning the team will be thrown out of the Euro tournament if their fans cause more trouble inside stadiums.
Five England fans were jailed for throwing bottles at police and a sixth jailed in connection with the violence.
France has released a mobile phone app to alert the public in the event of a terrorist attack ahead of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament, which starts on June 10.
The app will alert geo-located users “in case of a suspected attack”, the French interior ministry said in a statement.
The government said the app was developed after November’s attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.
Users will be able to sign up to receive alerts in up to eight different “geographical zones” in addition to their present location.
Alerts will offer a brief description of what has happened as well as advice on how to stay safe.
They will not cause the phone to vibrate or emit any sound in order to ensure that anyone hiding at the site of an attack does not alert the attackers, Metro News reported.
The government has stressed that users’ privacy will be protected.
Later versions of the app will also alert users to other types of emergencies beyond attacks, including floods and industrial accidents, officials said.
The app is available to download for phones running both iOS and Android operating systems.
The Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania was abandoned after a drone carrying a political message sparked clashes involving players and fans on the Partizan Stadium pitch.
The match, refereed by English official Martin Atkinson, was suspended in the 41st minute at 0-0.
Trouble flared when an Albanian flag and message flew above the pitch and was caught by a Serbia player.
Albania players tried to take it before several fans broke onto the pitch.
Martin Atkinson led the players off the field and, after a delay of around 30 minutes, UEFA confirmed the match had been abandoned.
Albanian fans had been banned from attending the qualifier between the two Balkan rival nations.
The Euro 2016 qualifier between Serbia and Albania was abandoned after a drone carrying a political message sparked clashes involving players and fans on the Partizan Stadium pitch
Serbia and Albania have a history of turbulent relations, predominantly in relation to the former Serbian province of Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008.
Kosovo has been recognized by the United States and major European Union countries, but Serbia refuses to do so, as do most ethnic Serbs inside it.
“It is a regretful situation on which we will report; the referee, myself and the security adviser. The circumstances were such that we couldn’t continue the match,” UEFA match delegate Harry Been said.
“You all saw what happened and I cannot comment on who is to blame or what to blame. I will submit a report with my colleagues to UEFA and UEFA will decide what will happen further.”
Serbian national broadcaster RTS reported that Olsi Rama, the brother of Albanian PM Edi Rama, was arrested in the stadium’s VIP box for instigating the drone stunt, but this could not be confirmed.
UEFA gives a suspended six-point deduction to Russia because of the behaviour of their fans during their 4-1 win against Czech Republic at Euro 2012.
Action was taken due to the use of fireworks and far-right banners.
The incident, in which Russian fans attacked stewards, leaving four needing hospital treatment, is being investigated by UEFA and police.
The penalty will apply to the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, and also includes a fine of 120,000 Euros ($147,000).
Russia, who will host the 2018 World Cup, could face further sanctions after their supporters were involved in violence before their game against Poland, which was drawn 1-1, on Tuesday.
UEFA gives a suspended six-point deduction to Russia because of the behaviour of their fans during their 4-1 win against Czech Republic at Euro 2012
A march by thousands of Russian fans to mark their national day had to be halted and some missiles were thrown as supporters clashed with their Polish rivals.
Police say they arrested at least 120 people and that 10 people were injured.
Inside the ground, Russian fans also displayed a provocative banner.
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