Football: France to expel right-wing Russian football fan chief for a second time

Alexander Shprygin at his first expulsion in Marseille, France, on June 18, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

PARIS (REUTERS) - France will deport Russian football fan leader Alexander Shprygin again, after he returned despite a previous expulsion in connection with violence that marred the start of Euro 2016, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Police re-arrested the 38-year-old on Monday in the south-western city of Toulouse, where the Russian team was playing Wales.

He had already been deported on June 18 following violence before and during the England-Russia match in Marseille.

The Foreign Ministry said that Shprygin was now subject to a ban on entering France and that his visa to the Schengen passport-free travel zone had not been issued by France.

The Russian team have been knocked out of the tournament after finishing bottom of Group B with just a point from three games. The country hosts the next World Cup in 2018.

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