Violent Clashes Ahead Of Russia Poland Match

Football fans have been injured following violent clashes before tonight's Euro 2012 match between Russia and Poland tonight in Warsaw.

In TV footage fans can be seen running away from exploding fireworks or flares on the city streets in Poland.

Several people were seen lying injured and bleeding on the ground, with one of them appearing to be seriously hurt.

Violence also broke out by the stadium with Poland and Russia fans fighting and throwing stones at each other.

Russia fans clashed with police on a bridge near the National Stadium and police were later seen making arrests.

Heavily armed riot police that have been present in large numbers during the afternoon used water cannons to try and disperse the troublemakers before the 7.45 kick-off.

The two countries share a difficult history, including decades of control by Moscow over Poland during the Cold War. 

Many Poles had protested to the Polish authorities to not allow the Russians to march as a group in Warsaw, seeing it as an act of provocation.

More to follow...