Euro 2016: Greg Dyke raises 'serious concerns' over fan safety in strongly-worded letter to Uefa

The Football Association chairman has offered a robust response to Uefa's threat of disqualification

Dyke, the FA chairman, condemn the ‘unacceptable’ stewarding and ‘insufficient’ segregation inside the Stade Vélodrome (Getty)

Greg Dyke, the Football Association chairman, has written to Uefa to raise ‘serious concerns’ over security arrangements in Lille ahead of Thursday’s Euro 2016 clash with Wales in nearby Lens in response to the warning that England face expulsion from the competition in the event of violence by supporters.

In a robust response to a letter from Uefa on Sunday, which threatened ‘potential disqualification’ of England and Russia from France 2016 following crowd trouble in Marseille before, during and after Saturday’s Group B tie in Marseille, Dyke defended English supporters against accusations of joint responsibility for the crowd disturbances at the end of the 1-1 draw on Stade Velodrome.

And in the letter, which was emailed to Uefa’s interim general secretary Theodore Theodoridis, Dyke went on to condemn the ‘unacceptable’ stewarding and ‘insufficient’ segregation inside Marseille’s 67,000-capacity stadium, before demanding that Uefa work to ensure a ‘co-ordinated’ police operation involving police from Lille and Lens this week to prevent further outbreaks of violence between English and Russian fans – Russia play Slovakia in Lille 24 hours before England face Wales 37 miles away in Lens.

“We understand there is to be an alcohol ban across the host cities and we would welcome this, particularly in Lille on Wednesday where many English fans have been asked to gather ahead of Thursday’s match against Wales in Lens,” Dyke wrote.

“We have, following consultation with the authorities, advised our supporters without tickets for the match in Lens to congregate there, and whilst we will be working hard to positively influence their behaviour we have serious concerns around the security arrangements for the city in the next few days.

“These concerns are heightened with the knowledge that Russia will play in Lille on Wednesday afternoon.

“We know that UK Police authorities are stepping up their support on the ground, but we would urge you to bring the policing authorities in both Lille and Lens together as soon as possible to ensure there is a co-ordinated and effective plan in place.

“Again we are ready to play our part in these discussions.

A teargas grenade explodes near an England fan, as French authorities struggle to prevent violence spreading between football supporters (Reuters)

“We are in regular contact with HM Government and their various law enforcement agencies to share what we can with them, and they in turn are co-operating very closely with their French counterparts and your tournament organisers.”

Dyke’s response to Uefa highlights the exasperation within the FA at attempts by European football’s governing body to bracket England and Russia together for collective responsibility for the violence in Marseille.

While condemning the ‘horrible’ scenes involving England supporters in Marseille’s Vieux Port prior to Saturday’s game, Dyke has insisted that events inside the stadium were not sparked by English supporters and that Uefa are misguided in threatening ‘additional sanctions’ could be applied to the FA.

“Whilst we absolutely share the Executive Committee’s concern regarding these abhorrent scenes, particularly in the Stade Velodrome on Saturday night, I would like to make some serious points,” Dyke said.

“The implication in your jointly-addressed letter is that English fans were in part responsible for the terrible incidents at the end of the match with Russia.

“This is contradicted both by the video evidence and by the fact your independent disciplinary bodies have only instigated sanctions against the Russian Football Union.

“The only blame apportioned in your letter for the event inside the stadium is to ‘so-called supporters’ when it could be suggested there were other factors involved.

“We believe the stewarding arrangements in place were unacceptable.

“Supporters were able to get in with fireworks and flares, and then let them off, and there was insufficient segregation between the Russian and English fans, particularly given the events of the previous two days.

Russian supporters attack an England fan at the end of the Euro 2016 Group B match between England and Russia (AP)

“Having said that, let me be clear, we join you in condemning the horrible scenes in Marseille away from the stadium on Thursday, Friday and matchday.

“A minority of English fans were clearly involved in some of those incidents and that is extremely disappointing to us all.

“But please also recognise that tens of thousands have behaved in a positive way. Regardless, we are working with all of the authorities and Uefa to do everything we can to avoid a repeat.”

Dyke added: “We are planning to use our high-profile individuals to ask English fans to act responsibly and in a respectful manner and we take seriously your suggestion of sanctions.

“In your letter, you call them ‘additional’ sanctions but The FA is not under any charge as it stands from Uefa's disciplinary bodies.

“We will work over the next three days jointly with the Football Association of Wales to ensure we have an effective communications strategy to our supporters.”

Prior to Dyke’s letter being sent to Uefa, the FA published video messages from England manager Roy Hodgson and team captain Wayne Rooney, both urging supporters to be ‘sensible’ ahead of the Wales fixture.

“I’d like to thank the England fans for the great support inside the stadium against Russia, and now we have a big game coming up against Wales,” Rooney said.

“I’d like to ask the fans please if you don’t have a ticket, don’t travel, and for the fans with tickets be safe, be sensible, and continue with your great support for the players.”