Russian, Polish Fans Get into Mass Fight before Euro 2012 Match

Polish and Russian fans got in a melee before their nations' clash in Euro 2012 Group A. Photo from Gong

Fans of the national football teams of Russia and Poland got into a mass fight in Warsaw shortly before the match between the two countries in Euro 2012 Group A.

The Polish police resorted to using water and tear gas in order to fend off an assault launched by Polish soccer hooligans against the Russian fans who were going together to the stadium in the Polish capital, international media reported.

The Russian fans reacted to the attack by throwing bottles at the Poles. New fighting erupted near the stadium. Some 12 000 Russian fans were expected in Warsaw, according to the Polish police.

Subsequently, over 100 soccer hooligans were arrested in Warsaw. The local police mobilized over 6 000 riot police officers in order to keep the public order in the Polish capital.

According to initial data, fans of both Poland and Russia have been injured in the melees.

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