Four ultra violent foreign club hooligan gangs hunt England ‘scalps’ at Euro 2016
Notorious Euro 'firms' target Three lions fans because of their reputation
ENGLAND fans are being hunted by vicious club hooligans who want to "claim a scalp" by attacking the huge notorious travelling support.
Police believe Three Lions fans have been attacked by 'ultras' affiliated to at least four different European clubs since the start of the tournament.
British police operating in France have gathered evidence of incidents at all three of England's group matches, Sky News reveals.
And the officers believe there is a pattern of "high-risk" groups targeting the England supporters because of their hooligan reputation.
In Lens, where England played Wales, ultras associated with Belgian club Standard Liege were present, and Feyenoord fans targeted them in Lille.
Police believe an incident in Lyon on Sunday night in which English fans traded punches with another group was provoked by yobs from the Bad Gones linked to Olympique Lyonnais.
In Marseilles, scene of the most extreme violence, supporters associated with Paris St Germain were involved in clashes with the English as well as a "hyper-violent" Russian hooligan gang.
English supporters are being targeted partly on their past reputation, but also because they are in France in large numbers, easily identified, and some are easily provoked.
The revelation that the English fans are being targeted comes as 40,000 gathered in St Etienne for the final group game against Slovakia, which they needed to win to be certain of topping their qualifying group.
Despite large numbers gathering in the city the atmosphere remained upbeat and positive, with local DJs entertaining fans of both countries, the music helping to defuse any tension.
But things have been very different elsewhere and, for once, the England fans haven't been to blame.
After Roy's boys failed to see of Slovakia last night, England fans will now head south again to the swanky coastal resort of Nice.
But despite its posh shops and high-class reputation the city also has its own problems with football violence.
Northern Ireland fans were targeted by Nice ultras before their first game in the tournament in the southern city.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368