A group of 20 Russian soccer fans has been deported from France after being accused of involvement in hooliganism at the European Championship. Despite their impending removal from France, Alexander Shprygin, the leader of a Russian fan group who is among the 20 to be deported, told The Associated Press that their visas would not be canceled and all planned to return to France for Monday's match against Wales. The fans had been accused by Marseille prefect Stephane Bouillon of "participation in skirmishes linked to the England-Russia game." The deportations from Nice airport follow mass fighting in the streets involving English, Russian and French fans in the run-up to last week's 1-1 draw between England and Russia. Three Russian fans were convicted of offenses related to the violence and sentenced to prison terms of between one and two years, with video evidence playing a key role in the trial, including footage of the disorder filmed by another Russian fan and posted online.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 18, 2016 13:21 UTC