Tear gas and water cannon used at fan zone during Euro 2016 final
Dozens tried to enter the fan zone at foot of the Eiffel Tower which had reached capacity
French riot police react with tear gas during clashes near the Eiffel Tower at the Paris fan zone during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final soccer match in Paris, France, July 10, 2016. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters
Mon Jul 11 2016 - 06:59
French police fired tear gas to disperse dozens of people trying to enter the fan zone at the foot of the Eiffel Tower to watch the final of the Euro 2016 soccer tournament on Sunday evening to prevent overcrowding.
The zone, where crowds can watch games on giant outdoor screens, was closed after reaching its maximum capacity of 90,000 at around 5pm, police said.
During the second half of the match, police used water cannons to keep people from trying to break in again, while firefighters extinguished scooters and a car set on fire just outside the fan zone.
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A picture taken from the Tour Montparnasse shows tear gas under the Eiffel tower during clashes between police and supporters trying to illegally enter the Champs de Mars fan zone on July 10, 2016 in Paris, before the Euro 2016 football tournament final match between Portugal and France. Photograph: Thomas Samsonthom/Getty Images
Smoke fills the air during clashes near the Eiffel Tower at the Paris fan zone during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final soccer match in Paris, France, July 10, 2016. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer /Reuters
Youths taunt French riot police during clashes near the Paris fan zone during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final soccer match in Paris, France, July 10, 2016. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer /Reuters
French firemen extinguish flames from burning vehicles near the Paris fan zone during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final soccer match, at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, July 10, 2016. Photograph: Stephane Mahe/Reuters
“The fire is being handled,” a police source said.
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Police called on drivers to steer clear of the Eiffel Tower and nearby Trocadero area as some people were blocking traffic and intercepting cars.
