England fans: Russians brought England shirts for 'organised' attacks

England fans involved in Saturday's violent clashes in Marseille described the actions of Russian supporters as "savage coordinated attacks," with hooligans bringing English club shirts to disguise themselves and armed with truncheons, according to the Guardian's Daniel Boffey.

Clashes occurred in Marseille over a three-day spell leading up to Saturday evening's Euro 2016 kickoff between England and Russia, culminating in the latter's followers rushing through the paltry security at the Stade Velodrome in a bid to attack English in the stands.

Related: Russia fans charge England supporters, capping day marred by violence

UEFA, which is only able to act on incidents witnessed in and around the stadium, responded by threatening to expel both countries from the tournament if trouble from their hooligans persists.

But violence was rife in the city centre before and after the Group B tie, as Russians led attacks against the English with "military organisation," fans said. Calling cards were attached to lampposts in the Old Port area of Marseille, apparently in order to direct hooligans where to meet before assaulting opposing fans.

One English supporter is "hovering between life and death," according to a police spokesperson, after being struck on the head with a weapon before being relentlessly kicked on the ground.

"They were very organised," shared Ian Allsop, a builder from Bedfordshire. "They wore gumshields, some had England shirts on to mix in. They were there to do the English. And they were thickset, stocky guys. People were getting bottles smashed on their heads, bats smashed into them. Loads of people were hurt."

Allsop also claimed: "A group of locals (started) spitting at us. We told them to stop and they took out knives on us. The police were nowhere."

Several other accounts reflect Allsop's assertions that they were highly organised attacks made by Russians often bearing weapons, with others in the coastal city noting that they sometimes attacked in their hundreds.

Martyn Lowe suffered a black eye, broken ribs, and was knocked unconscious when "300 or 400 Russians" marched by the Queen Victoria pub in the Old Port.

"One of them hit me on the head with a bottle and as I reeled punched me in the face. I had no idea how many were attacking me," said the 28-year-old, who was outside the pub drinking with friends.

"They came at me from every direction. I was trying to get away but the next thing I was on the floor. They must have kicked me on the floor because I've got broken ribs. It looked like they were very organised. I was taken to hospital. I woke up in the ambulance, covered in blood.

"My trainers were stolen, £100 in my wallet, and an iPhone 6. If that's the way they get their kicks then fair enough."

Shadow home secretary Andy Burnham called for action from the British government following savagery that has cast a significant shadow over the beginning of Euro 2016.

"While the England fans are not blameless, it is clear that the situation changed yesterday and they were subject to extreme provocation and violence," said Burnham. "With the rest of the tournament to go, there are concerns for the safety of supporters of all home nations.

"Given the seriousness of situation, I am surprised by the silence from the government. That is why I am calling on the home secretary (Theresa May) to make an urgent statement to parliament tomorrow on the actions she is proposing to take, working with the French authorities and UEFA, to prevent any repeat of what we have seen."

UEFA's control, ethics, and disciplinary board meets on Tuesday to discuss sanctions against the English Football Association and Russian Football Union. The discussions come a day before Russia continues its tournament campaign against Slovakia, and two days before England plays Wales.