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- Ugly scenes broke out in Groupama Stadium in Lyon following the final whistle of the Europa League finals
- Scores of supporters traded blows and set off flares ahead of kick-off between Marseille and Atletico Madrid
- Marseilles fans who hadn’t made the trip to Lyon began rioting following the defeat outside of their stadium
- Dramatic pictures show riot police advancing on fans in Vieux Port in Marseille, southern France last night
Fans were left bloodied and bruised as vicious fighting broke out following Marseille’s loss to Atletico Madrid in the final of the Europa League competition last night.
The build-up to Wednesday night’s fixture was marred by fighting in the stands as scores of supporters traded blows and set off flares ahead of kick-off.
Gangs of Marseille hooligans – who hadn’t made the trip to Lyon, where the final was being staged – then began rioting in their own city following their team’s defeat.
Dramatic pictures show riot police advancing on Marseille fans in the Vieux Port last night, after their team succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to their Spanish opposition.
Pictures appeared to show fans fighting among themselves in Marseilles as they set fire to items in the streets and shattered the windows of surrounding shops.
Meanwhile several stewards were called into action to break up the melee outside of the Groupama Stadium in Lyon after fans clashed with Atletico Madrid supporters cheering their side’s victory.
Riot police made at least 33 arrests across France as football fans went on the rampage.
There were 21 arrests in and around the 59,000 Groupama Stadium in Lyon, where the game was played, for offences including ‘aggravated violence’ and ‘rebellion’.
A further 40 were ejected from the ground after forcing entry without tickets, and then threatening others.
The ‘vast majority’ of those arrested were from Marseille, although there are reports that some local Lyon thugs also turned up to fight, said a local police source.
In Marseille itself, thousands converged on the Old Port after the final whistle and started to set fire to bins and cars, and smashing shop windows.
This was where England fans fought running battles with their Russian counterparts before a European Championship tie two years ago.
‘There were around a dozen arrests for public order offences,’ said a Marseille police source, who added that CRS riot officers came under attack.
Calm was finally restored in the early hours of Thursday morning after tear gas and baton charges were used.
Olympique de Marseille is one of the best supported clubs in France, with President Emmanuel Macron among OM’s most famous fans.
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