Head of Russian supporters group among 20 to be deported over violence

Russian men being held in a French detention centre will be deported next week for their alleged role in the violence that erupted in Marseille last week.

Among those set to be expelled from France is the head of the official Russian supporters group, Alexander Shprygin, according to Owen Gibson of The Guardian.

A statement from the Russian supporters group read: "The delegation of the Union of Russian Fans, whose bus was stopped on 14 June on the way from Marseille to Lille, spent more than a day under arrest. Twenty people were later released and 20 others, including URF head Alexander Shprygin, were taken to a deportation centre from where they will be expelled from France within five days,” the Union of Russian Fans said on its website on Thursday.

"France's authorities said they have taken this decision due to security considerations as they see a potential threat in these people. No other reasons have been provided."

Authorities detained 20 men after altercations ahead of Russia's Euro 2016 draw with England on Saturday, and will deport the group Monday, chief Stephane Bouillon told reporters.

However, Shprygin says he expects to be deported Friday but plans to appeal the ruling.

"We will probably see our consul tomorrow," he said to Russian state news agency Tass. "We will challenge this decision. It is an absolutely absurd award. We can challenge it within two days. We will ask for a lawyer. I was involved in no clashes or anything of the kind."

Three other Russian fans have also been handed jail time, sentenced to two years, 18 months, and one year, respectively.

The men were detained after French authorities stopped a bus carrying Russian supporters, including Shprygin - who has been revealed to have far-right affiliations - and identified the group as those responsible for conflicts throughout Marseille.

The decision to deport the men comes after the Russian Football Union received a warning that the national team would be disqualified from Euro 2016 if there's a repeat of the violence that broke out inside the Stade Velodrome when Russians spilled into the English supporters section.