PARIS (Reuters) -French police arrested more than 100 AS Roma ultras in the centre of Nice on Tuesday evening after intervening to prevent a mass brawl ahead of the Italian club’s Europa League match against Nice, local authorities said.
A total of 102 individuals identified as Roma fans were detained after riot police and local officers stepped in to stop a clash involving around 100 people, the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes said in a statement.
“There were no injuries or damage. Calm was quickly restored and security was fully ensured throughout the night,” the prefecture said.
The French city hosts the league phase game on Wednesday between Nice and Roma, which authorities have classed as high risk. A heavy security deployment of around 400 police and gendarmes will be stationed at the stadium, across the city and on access routes from the Franco-Italian border.
“As with all sensitive matches, this game has been subject to very careful preparation by state services in coordination with the City of Nice, the metropolis, the clubs concerned and UEFA,” the prefecture added.
It warned there would be zero tolerance for troublemakers, with police instructed to enforce bans issued by decree strictly.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot, editing by Ed Osmond)
