Euro 2016: Appeal for information

The UK Football Policing Unit investigation team has gathered lots of moving and still images from the disorder in France. This evidence was collected by English and French Police football spotters in Marseilles and shows large scale clashes between English and Russian fans.

Our focus is on the people who can clearly be seen committing violence, but also others who were there and may have witnessed something. They could have vital information, photos or video footage.

Hooligans were seen throwing beer bottles at rival supporters and chairs being used as weapons. Violent scenes then followed on a scale that we haven’t seen for many years. Two English fans remain in hospital with serious injuries following this disorder.

The investigation team have been identifying those involved and developing a timeline of the most serious incidents. We are appealing for further images and accounts to ascertain what happened in Marseilles and who was involved.  

We are also appealing for any witness or footage of the attack on Stewart Gray from Leicester. Stewart Gray was part of a group in the Rue Forte Notre Dame area at around 2.30pm and was wearing a blue t-shirt.  He was then found injured not far from this location at 4pm. We have no footage which shows what happened.

Detective Superintendent Andy Barnes who is leading the UKFPU investigation said:

"Please come forward if you have any information, photos or video of what happened in Marseille.

“We particularly need footage to help us understand how Stewart Gray became so badly injured. We are aware that there were people in the apartment above the incident who we would like to speak to as witnesses. They were seen to be taking video footage and this could be crucial evidence. If you recognise yourself or someone you know in this footage, then please get in touch.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Football Policing, Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said:

“The violence in Marseilles was highly organised and those involved appeared determined to carry out sustained attacks at a level of aggression I have not encountered in the past 10 years.

“We are very aware that this involved a small minority of English supporters. Investigations will continue and these fans could be subject to a football banning order on their return to the UK.

“Our investigation team is on hand to assist the French police in any way that we can to ensure those involved are identified and prevented from engaging in further disorder.”

Help us to identify the people responsible by reporting any violence or anti-social behaviour to the UKFPU investigation team via 0208 246 0076 or centralfootballunit@met.pnn.police.uk.