Furious Moscow condemns French police for arresting Russian hooligans after Euro violence

MOSCOW has condemned the “unacceptable” detention of 43 Russian hooligans by French police after a string of sickeningly violent clashes at Euro 2016.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov slammed the French police, claiming the host nation’s security forces are “discriminating against Russian citizens”.

French police feared Lille would be invaded by 200 right-wing Russian ‘Ultras’ intent on marauding through the city beating-up opposition fans and leaving a trail of destruction.

Police deployed CS gas and stun grenades as violence erupted when Russian hooligans singled out English supporters in the city during the past two days.

At least six yobs were arrested yesterday alone, including one woman.

The French authorities deployed 4,000 police officers and security staff who rooted-out the Russian criminals.

A coach carrying 50 Russian fans, including the head of a far-right supporters’ group, was intercepted by French police near Cannes en-route to Lens, where England take on Wales today.

A further 43 were arrested and detained in separate incidents on Tuesday morning.

Mr Lavrov is now up in arms about what he views as a heavy-handed reaction by French police, which comes after Uefa slapped a £119,000 fine and a suspended disqualification on the Russians.

The Russian foreign minister blasted French police for “an absolutely unacceptable incident” and reportedly summoned the French ambassador, Jean-Maurice Ripert, to a meeting to discuss the detention of the 43 fans – which he termed the “discriminatory and indiscriminate measures against Russian citizens”.

Skirmishes between English and Russian fans, some of which have been filmed and shared on social media, have marred the football tournament.

English and Welsh fans were seen emerging from fierce clashes with Russians covered in blood, others have been seen laying unconscious on the floor.

TalkSport host and former England international, Stan Collymore, was caught in the conflict — the former Liverpool midfielder was seen shouting “journalist, journalist” at French police as tear gassed rained down on violent fans.