Things turned ugly in Marseilles, France last Saturday when England played Russia in Euro 2016 as there were violent clashes between team’s supporters.
Police were forced to use tear gas as somewhere between 150 and 300 Russian fans reportedly began to charge at English supporters inside the stadium. Nineteen English fans were left hospitalized by the incident.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has drawn the ire of the British media as he reportedly “mocked” the British fans during a speech at an economic forum Friday in St. Petersburg, Russia.
WATCH: England and Russia fans brawl during 1-1 draw at Euro 2016
“The fighting between Russian fans with the English, that is a disgrace,” Putin reportedly said according to the Independent.
“I don’t know how 200 Russian fans could beat several thousand of the British?” he asked as the crowd reportedly laughed and applauded.
Putin also said he believes that too much attention is being paid to the off-field activities at Euro 2016.
“At the moment we see that there are many problems in sports. The European football cup is taking place at the moment, but I believe that people are paying more attention to the fan fights,” he said according to the Independent.
“And I regret saying this. I regret seeing that people pay such importance to fan fights. I guess the responsibility for such acts should be as personalized as possible.”
A group of 20 Russian soccer fans have been deported from France, leaving on a flight to Moscow after French authorities accused them of being involved in hooliganism.
The 20 were part of a larger group of Russians who were detained by French authorities on Tuesday following violent disorder around England’s 1-1 draw with Russia last Saturday.
Three others were convicted of offences related to the violence and sentenced to prison terms of between one and two years