French police re-arrest deported Russian fan boss at Wales game

Alexander Shprygin was among 20 fans expelled after incidents in Marseille

Russian Supporters Union president Alexander Shprygin holds a flag at  Sheremetevo airport in  Moscow after being expelled from France. Photograph: Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images
Russian Supporters Union president Alexander Shprygin holds a flag at Sheremetevo airport in Moscow after being expelled from France. Photograph: Vasily Maximov/AFP/Getty Images

French police re-arrested Russian soccer fan leader Alexander Shprygin in the southwestern city of Toulouse on Monday, two days after deporting him in connection with violence that marred the beginning of the Euro 2016 tournament.

It was not immediately clear how Shprygin re-entered France. A message on his Twitter handle said that he had taken an unconventional route and included a photo of a jet belonging to Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling Airlines.

“He was arrested this evening in Toulouse,” a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said.

Also posted on the Twitter feed of Shprygin, who is president of the Russian Supporters Union, was a short video filmed inside the stadium ahead of Russia’s match against Wales.

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Shprygin was among 20 Russian fans expelled from France after violence flared before and during the England-Russia match in Marseille.

Russia lost the game 3-0 as Chris Coleman’s side secured the Group B top spot ahead of England, who drew 0-0 against Slovakia in St Etienne.