11 held after football gang riot

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WORLD NEWS

Uefa will investigate the brawl which ocurred in Poznan yesterday

By David Pilditch

ELEVEN football fans were in custody yesterday after an explosion of violence in the Polish city of Poznan.

People fled in terror as tables, chairs and glass bottles were turned into missiles during the gang attack in the city?s main square and fires raged afterwards.

Ireland supporters said they had been enjoying the atmosphere prior to the Euro 2012 match between Ireland and Croatia when they were ambushed by masked Polish thugs in the early hours yesterday.

One, John O?Rourke, 34, said: ?It was mental. One minute we were drinking beer and having a really great time. The next we were running for our lives.??

EURO 2012: IN PICTURES

Local man Michal Smyla was caught up in the violence when the table he was sitting at was suddenly surrounded by thugs.

He said: ?I was with friends having a beer when some guy in a mask and a hood grabbed me and punched me in the face.?

It was mental. One minute we were drinking beer and having a really great time

Police said officers detained 10 Poles, three Irishmen and a Croatian and are trying to determine the role they played.

The three Irishmen, who have not been named, were later released without charge. In a similar incident, Polish hooligans beat up English-speaking fans in Lodz. It comes as Uefa charged Russian football chiefs with the ?improper conduct? of supporters after dozens launched a vicious attack on four Polish stewards.

Amateur video showed supporters punching and kicking the volunteers ? including one lying on the ground after being injured ? after Russia?s 4-1 win over the Czech Republic on Friday.

Uefa said the case will be reviewed on Wednesday. It is also investigating reports that the Czech Republic?s only black player, Theo Gebre Selassie, was the target of monkey chants during the match.

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