SCOTS taxpayers could be among people across the UK who face having to fork out for the damage caused by English and Russian football hooligans in France at the weekend after Theresa May refused to say whether she would make the offenders’ pay. SNP MP Joanna Cherry pressed the Home Secretary on the issue in the House of Commons yesterday following demands from a French politician the UK should pick up some of the bill after parts of Marseille were left damaged following violent clashes.
“Scotland may not have a world-class football team – yet – but we have world-class fans who know how to behave themselves, as it appears do the Welsh and the Northern Irish fans. My point is that the problem of recurring football hooliganism is not insoluble. What is most worrying, however, is the undertow of racism to this football hooliganism, and if it is allowed to continue unchecked, English fans will not be welcome abroad,” said Cherry, the SNP justice spokeswoman.
“What is being done to address that? Finally, a senior politician in Marseille has demanded that the United Kingdom pay towards the cost of the clean-up operation after the trouble on the city’s streets. What steps will the Home Secretary take to ensure that these costs fall on the fans responsible and not on the British taxpayer?”
But, responding to Cherry, May failed to address the issue over costs and who would pay and instead attacked the manner of Cherry’s question.
“The tone of the remarks she has made were somewhat unfortunate. Yes, there were England supporters... who were involved in this violence. Nine England supporters have been arrested and action has been taken by the French criminal justice system and those people will be considered for banning orders when they return to the United Kingdom,” said May.
“Football hooliganism can erupt anywhere, among any group of fans.”
Socialist deputy Patrick Mennucci made the demand over costs following the violence in his city at the weekend.
He said: “I hope at least that when the bill for the damage has been completed, their country will contribute to the cost because it should not be the people of Marseille who have to put their hand in their pocket.”
Responding to questions from MPs yesterday May said Britain would give “whatever” policing support the French ask for in the wake of the violence.
She said British police officers known as “spotters” who are trained to identify troublemakers have been sent to France, while British officers will also be helping to support police investigations into the violence.
She told the chamber: “And in fact whatever the French have asked for then we are willing to provide to them, and as I said, that goes both for police and British Transport Police.”
There are fears there may be a repeat of the violence that erupted between England and Russia fans as the two teams are scheduled to play 23 miles apart in Lille and Lens on consecutive days.
May said Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for football policing is meeting with French officials to discuss the support Britain can give.
And she indicated that security will be beefed up at the stadiums following criticism from FA chairman Greg Dyke that stewarding levels at the Marseille match were
“unacceptable”.
She said: “The police are meeting, I believe they are still meeting as we speak, to look at the extra action that will be taken around Lille and Lens, my understanding is that there is an expectation that there will be a greater police presence in relation to the stadium, both for the security outside the stadium and also inside the stadium.”
She said that for “operational reasons” she would not reveal how many British police are being sent across the Channel to help with security.
Russia has been given a suspended disqualification – effectively meaning they are on their final warning and could be kicked out of the tournament if further violence erupts among their fans – and a €150,000 (£120,000) fine by Uefa.
May said the violence involving England supporters was “deeply disturbing” and blamed Russian fans for instigating much of the worst of it.
She said the Government’s priority is to do what they can to stop a repeat of the events.
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