Putin: How did 200 Russians 'beat up' thousands of English fans?

Saint Petersburg - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday called the football hooligan violence at Euro 2016 a "disgrace" but questioned how Russian fans could have overpowered a far larger contingent of English supporters.

"The fighting between Russian fans with the English, that is a disgrace," he said at Russia's annual economic forum in Saint Petersburg. "But I truly don't understand how 200 of our fans could beat up several thousand English."

"In any case, the treatment by law enforcement should be the same for all violators.

"I hope that there are sober-minded people among them who really love sport and understand that any violation is not supporting their favourite team but damaging to the team and to sport."

Thursday, a French court sentenced three Russian supporters to jail time - one for two years - for their roles in the violence that has plagued the early stages of Euro 2016.

Related: Head of Russian supporters group among 20 to be deported over violence

A further 20 Russians are set to be expelled from the country after their involvement in the disturbing scenes that wreaked havoc, primarily in Marseille.