England fan from Sheffield jailed over Euro 2016 violence

A psychiatric nurse from Sheffield is among several England fans who've been jailed over violent clashes in Marseille

Published 13th Jun 2016

A Sheffield man is one of several England fans who've been jailed over violent clashes in Marseille during Euro 2016.

Ian Hepworth, 41, was one of the first fans to be dealt with after the widespread trouble in the city over the weekend, which left another fan with severe head injuries.

Hepworth, a psychiatric nurse from Sheffield, was given a three month sentence for throwing a bottle at police, and is banned from France for two years.

Alexander Booth, 20, from West Yorkshire, was given two months for the same offence.

Reacting to the sentence, Booth's dad Chris, who was later seen in tears, said "I'll fight it'' and "miscarriage''.

Russian fans also charged at England supporters in the Stade Velodrome after the two teams drew 1-1 on Saturday night.

But Brice Robin, chief Marseille prosecutor, told reporters that no Russian fans had been arrested in connection with the violence.

A total of six England fans have been charged over the trouble, including a 16-year-old.

Home Secretary Theresa May said England fans involved in the "indefensible'' violence in Marseilles have let their country down. England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have appealed directly to fans to "stay out of trouble'' following Uefa's threat to ban the team from the tournament if violence continues.

Uefa branded the behaviour of both England and Russia fans before and after the game ''unacceptable'' and said it would not hesitate to impose additional sanctions.