RIOT police were forced to intervene as Marseille and Eintracht Frankfurt fans clashed before their Champions League match in France.
Shocking footage revealed fireworks being set off inside the Stade Velodrome, aimed at Frankfurt’s away section.
Before the game, a large-scale police operation successfully contained the risk of fan violence in the city of Marseille.
It followed after a stadium brawl in Nice last week left dozens injured, causing authorities to be on high alert ahead of Frankfurt’s trip.
Tensions escalated when police marched a group of around 500 Frankfurt ultras up a long road – with ticketed fans taken to the game in coaches under police escort.
But those without tickets stayed on site at a fan zone with police nearby.
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Earlier in the day, Frankfurt fans had congregated in one of the city’s main squares with police blocking every entry point.
Hundreds of riot police then escorted the crowd away at around 4:30 p.m, only for a brief skirmish with locals to break out.
Following last Thursday’s mass brawl between fans from Nice and Cologne, before a Europa Conference League game, security measures have been ramped up.
Police said five arrests were made Monday night when large groups from Frankfurt and Marseille were narrowly prevented from confronting each other.
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Dozens of police vans were stationed around the city’s Old Port area with some armed police present.
Midfielder Jesper Lindstrom gave Frankfurt the lead just before half time for the visitors.
And the first-half goal proved enough for the German side to travel back with three points.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
