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Fighting broke out in Nice tonight when Irish and Polish fans were attacked by locals as the Euros were marred by violence.

Witnesses said local hooligans from the “Nice Ultras” started brawls with travelling fans ahead Ireland and Poland’s match today.

Glasses were hurled as thugs fought on the streets while riot police tried to regain control of the situation.

Ireland and Poland fans had earlier been applauded for sharing selfies and singing together ahead of the fixture in the Allianz Riviera stadium at 5pm on Sunday.

(Image: Yann Quercia/Twitter)

Northern Irishman Alex Sloan witnessed the “terrible scenes” and criticised French police for allegedly allowing the hooligans to spark the riot.

He tweeted: “Terrible scenes in #Nice. French security allow #Nice ultras to walk into crowd & initiate riot. #GAWA

“Riots in stark contrast to friendly atmosphere between #GAWA & #Poland fans this eve. Serious Qs for French security.”

Thousands of Northern Ireland and Poland supporters are in the city ahead of their match.

Heavily armed soldiers and police are on the streets with France on high alert against would-be terrorist attackers.

(Image: Yann Quercia/Twitter)

It came on a third day of violence at Euro 2016 as England fans were ­attacked by squads of Russian thugs.

Two England supporters were critically injured in ­vicious street fighting that raged all day before England’s opening Euro 2016 game.

One of them had been hit with an iron bar. At least 29 others had lesser injuries.

Fighting also broke out in the stadium after the 1-1 draw as rival fans hurled bottles and chairs and scaled barriers.

Northern Ireland and Poland also have world champions Germany and Ukraine for company in Group C.