Nearly 100 Arrested as English Fans Riot
On the eve of their nation’s first World Cup game, English fans turned violent.
They clashed with police and Tunisian fans on Sunday in Marseille, resulting in nearly 100 arrests. Some youths broke shop windows and several of the fans suffered minor injuries, authorities said. About 100 others, singing and chanting--many drunk and shirtless--stood outside an Irish pub along one side of the Old Port, littered with an overturned car, broken glass and scattered cafe chairs.
Authorities canceled a free evening concert in the Old Port, and most restaurants closed. The first violence broke out early Sunday morning when a motorist who was blocked for several minutes by dancing English fans tried to push his way through. His car struck and slightly injured an English fan, setting off the melee.
About 200 English fans showered police and their vehicles with bottles and cans, sending at least one gendarme to the hospital with a head injury.
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FIFA was dealing with another hot item, suspending Dutch striker Patrick Kluivert for two games. Kluivert was incensed by comments from an opponent that led to his ejection against Belgium.
Kluivert, who is black, said he had been upset by offensive comments by Belgium’s Lorenzo Staelens. So he stuck his elbow into Staelens’ chest, drawing a red card and the subsequent suspension for the rest of the first round.
“I pushed him,” Kluivert said Sunday. “I couldn’t control my emotions. My actions were nothing to do with the way the match was going.”
Kluivert refused to say whether the comments were racist.
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FIFA has received letters and faxes asking it to ban Yugoslavia from participating in the World Cup because of the troubles in Kosovo.
FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper said Sunday that FIFA also received protest letters about Iran participating and letters to support Yugoslavia’s taking part.
“The FIFA line is that we follow the United Nations line,” Cooper said. “U.N. policy and advice determines our policy.”
The United Nations has imposed economic sanctions on Yugoslavia, but has not excluded the country from participating in sporting events.
