MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Tuesday, French police blocked Russian football supporters in a bus on their way to the city of Lille, where the Russian national team was set to play against Slovakia. The supporters were transferred to Marseille. Later French police released 20 people and placed other 20 in deportation center.
"We have spent nearly 24 hours in the deportation center. The Russian consul in Marseille and attache have been here just now. Everyone filed an appeal against deportation," Shprygin told RIA Novosti in a phone conversation, adding that the decision of the French authorities was groundless.
The French authorities cited security measures as the reason of detention as earlier the Euro 2016 football tournament saw clashes between Russian and British fans.
On June 11, the Russian national football team played in a draw with England in the French city of Marseille. After the game, clashes between Russian and English fans erupted at the stadium and in the port town. As a result, at least 30 people were injured.