French police arrest 323 soccer fans for violence

Paris, June 16: At least 323 persons were arrested following violent clashes between fans of rival soccer clubs in France, since the start of the European football tourment on June 10, an official said on Thursday.

Some 196 people were taken into custody, eight sentenced to jail terms and three given suspended sentences while 24 others would be sent home, Xinhua news agency reported an official as saying. The ministry did not give details about the tiolity of the expelled people but local media reported that they were all Russians. They were accused of committing violent acts which left 35 people injured on the sidelines of the game between England and Russia on June 11. Amid the rising risk of violence that could mar the big sports event, the interior ministry pledged full determition to continue these security actions throughout the competition. IANS