Alcohol to be banned in Euro 2016 fan zones

On Sunday the French government announced it would be banning the sale and consumption of alcohol in certain areas around Euro 2016 stadiums, after the opening weekend of the European football competition was marred by fan violence.

Marseille was the setting for most of the hooligan behaviour last weekend as England and Russia fans clashed ahead of their opening game at the Stade Velodrome. There were also attacks from Russian supporters inside the stadium towards England's support.

Marseille was the setting for most of the hooligan behaviour last weekend as England and Russia fans clashed ahead of their opening game at the Stade Velodrome

"I have asked for all necessary measures to be taken to prohibit the sale, consumption and transport of alcoholic drinks in sensitive areas on match days and the day before, and on days when fan zones are open," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said.

Cazeneuve said that the ban will include many public areas, including fan zones, public shops as well as certain bars and cafes if their containers can be used as missiles.

1,200 riot police were sent in to quell the disorder over the weekend in the port area of Marseille as missiles, chairs and bottles were thrown.

"The events which took place in Marseille yesterday evening are unacceptable. Unacceptable for the authorities, unacceptable for society, unacceptable for football lovers," Cazeneuve added.

France is hosting the tournament while terrorist attacks on the country from 2015 remain fresh in the memory.

"Their actions distract the police from their primary mission, which is to protect our country from the terrorist threat," he said.