UEFA has also taken action over the violence off the pitch by giving warnings to England and Russia that they will be disqualified if their fans are involved in further conflicts. This has prompted England manager Roy Hodgson and the team's captain Wayne Rooney to appeal to thier supporters to put an end to the riots and clashes that have marred the early days of the tournament.

With England and Russia both facing the potential of an early exit, Hodgson made an appeal to Three Lions fans to refrain from further violence so the team can focus on making a deep run at this year's European Championship.

"We worked very hard to get here and we really desperately want to stay in the competition and I am appealing therefore to all of our fans - and we appreciate your support at the matches of course - but I am appealing to you to stay out of trouble and try and make certain that these threats that are being issued are never carried out and we will be able to attempt to do the best we can to stay in this competition by football means," said Roy Hodgson England manager.

A senior sports reporter with The Times believes that UEFA are very serious about their warning.

"I think it is a real threat; it is a serious threat. I was in Charleroi in 2000 when they made the threat before, and if England fans had misbehaved there in the game against Germany 16 years ago, I think that they would have thrown England out," said Henry Winter The Times sports reporter.

The Three Lions are now concentrating on preparing for their next game against Wales and England midfielder Jack Wilshere made a brief comment about the warning from UEFA.

"We let the people in the right positions deal with that kind of thing; we just need to concentrate on the football," said Jack Wilshere England midfielder.

Marseille's chief prosecutor said that about 150 Russian football hooligans arrived in Marseille before the match between the two teams.

"There were about 150 supporters of Russian nationality who in reality are hooligans and are used to this kind of behaviour and actually train for it. A few of them went to Marignane airport and were refused entry. Unfortunately, others probably arrived by different means of transportation and so they prepared for ultra-rapid and ultra-violent action," said Brice Robin Marseille chiief prosecutor.

England authorities have offered help in the form of sending police to France to strengthen security, but that doesn't mean the fans will heed the warning. The Three Lions face neighbours Wales on Thursday in Lens, but it remains to be seen if their supporters can keep their noses clean so the players can do their part on the pitch.