Euro 2016: 43 Russia supporters 'in custody' following violent clashes with England fans in Marseille

Six England fans have been handed jail sentences and given two-year bans from France

A gang of Russian fans charge towards English supporters in Marseille (Getty)

French police reportedly have 43 Russia supporters "in custody" following the Marseille crowd violence which has marred the opening week of the European Championship.

Six England fans have been handed jail sentences and given two-year bans from travelling to France after 35 people were injured during clashes between the two sets of supporters before, during and after the 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

As reported by The Independent, up to 300 Russian hooligans arrived in Marseille armed with martial arts gloves and gum shields intent on attacking their English counterparts as they congregated in bars and restaurants before the 8pm GMT kick-off.

Six British men appeared in court on Monday after local police needed tear gas to deter the large crowds from fighting. Russian supporters also stormed the England supporters’ section of the Stade Velodrome, resulting in Uefa issuing the national team with a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016.

New agency AFP reported on Tuesday afternoon that 43 Russians are in custody in relation to the violent scenes. Reports in Russia have suggested some or all of those detained have since been released following a 'mistake' by French police.

France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced earlier that an operation was in place to arrest a group of Russian supporters after footage of the incidents was shared widely on social media.

He said: “As we speak there is a police operation to arrest some 40 of them that may have taken part in these acts in Marseille so that they can no longer do it in the next games with the violence we have seen. There were photos and videos. They will be stopped.”

There will be a increased number of British police officers deployed to northern France this week as England prepare to play Wales in Lens on Thursday, 24 hours after Russia face Slovakia 25 miles away in Lille.