Euro 2016: Tear gas, water cannon used at fan zone

IMAGE: Garbage burns during clashes near the Paris fan zone at the Eiffel Tower during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final. Photograph: Stephane Mahe/Reuters

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.

Portugal beat France to win Euro 2016 title

The zone, where crowds can watch games on giant outdoor screens, was closed after reaching its maximum capacity of 90,000 at around 7 p.m. (1700 GMT), police said.

IMAGE: Youths taunt French riot police during clashes near the Paris fan zone during the Portugal v France EURO 2016 final. Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

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 ablaze just outside the fan zone.

"The fire is being handled," a police source said.

Police called on drivers to steer clear of the Eiffel Tower and nearby Trocadero area as some people were blocking traffic and intercepting cars.

Source: REUTERS
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