Some 1,400 Policemen Deployed in France Ahead of England-Wales Match

PARIS (Sputnik) — The match between England and Wales kicks off at 2:00 p.m. local time (13:00 GMT).

"There are currently 1,400 policemen and gendarmes placed in the city. We are cooperating with our [foreign] colleagues after the events in Marseille and Lille, and we have decided [as in Lille] to completely saturate the city center with police forces, so that they are always in sight. This will also serve for the prevention of incidents and allow to intervene in case of need as quickly as possible," Buccio told reporters, noting that a total of nearly 2,500 were currently mobilized.

He also noted the presence of 20 British police "spotters" on the ground.

"These officers are also professional physiognomists and they will help us to identify possible hooligans. In addition, we are working with the English vice-consul, who helps coordinate the work of our British colleagues," the prefect said.

On Wednesday, English and Russian fans clashed in the city of Lille, 35 kilometers (22 miles) away from Lens, after Russia’s Euro 2016 match with Slovakia. Police was forced to use tear gas against English fans after they blocked a city street and refused to disperse.

On June 11, the Russian national football team played against England in its first UEFA Euro 2016 football match 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.