England’s Games Will Get More Security

As residents of Marseille began repairing the damage done by English hooligans Monday night and early Tuesday, the wheels of French justice began turning in an effort to curb the violence darkening the World Cup’s otherwise festive atmosphere.

Eight troublemakers who were arrested Sunday were brought before a judicial tribunal. Two English citizens were sentenced to three months in jail and expelled from France. Six others, five from England and one from France, will be sentenced on July 17.

Clashes between English and Tunisian fans began Saturday, on the eve of the teams’ World Cup match at the Stade Velodrome. Despite cordons of riot police throughout the city, violence erupted among fans watching Monday’s game on a large-screen TV at a nearby beach. Afterward, fans massed in the streets around the stadium, at the St. Charles train station and in the Old Port area, taunting rival fans, throwing bottles and tossing chairs into the street. Police swept through trains headed for outlying cities, detaining hooligans who lurched drunkenly through the cars and harassed other passengers.

Incidents erupted until dawn between Marseille police and gang members who attacked some English fans lingering in the streets.

More than 50 people have been injured and nearly 80 English, Tunisian and French citizens have been arrested since the incidents began.

World Cup organizers Tuesday issued a statement condemning the vandalism and praising law enforcement officials who helped ensure the game was played without incident.

Michel Platini, co-president of the French World Cup Organizing Committee, condemned the troublemakers, saying “many didn’t come here to go to the games but have used this event to sow the seeds of trouble.” He added, “These actions were organized and are the actions of ringleaders. Everyone knows that the true English supporters, in the stadium, behaved in exemplary fashion. I’m scandalized by the attitude of those troublemakers who, in the very heart of Marseille, burned the Tunisian flag. Marseille is a cosmopolitan city, where many Tunisians live, and this action was a blatant and deliberate provocation.”

Jacques Lambert, managing director of the committee, said security will be fortified at remaining games in Marseille and wherever England plays. However, he warned against indiscriminate crackdowns.

“We have to guard against a form of paranoia about foreigners,” Lambert said. “If two individuals are fighting on the street, it doesn’t mean the revolution is at hand.”

Keith Cooper, communications director for FIFA, also condemned the vandals’ actions but said the organization has no plan to expel England from the tournament or otherwise sanction the national team.

The violence in Marseille has led World Cup organizers to postpone cultural events scheduled to take place after England’s next game, at Toulouse on Sunday. The “Fete de la Musique,” a tradition in Toulouse, probably will take place after the last World Cup match has been played at that site.