Russian football fan leader Alexander Shprygin re-enters France only days after deportation

The leader of a Russian supporters' group who was expelled from France for hooliganism, has been arrested again after re-entering the country.

Alexander Shprygin was among 20 Russians who were deported after being accused of involvement in skirmishes around the English clash with Russia in Marseille. Three Russian fans were convicted and sentenced to prison.

But on Monday 20 June, ahead of Russia's clash with Wales, Shprygin posted pictures on Twitter showing him at the stadium in Toulouse. He appeared to have travelled into the country overland.

Ahead of his team's 3-0 defeat against Wales, he told the AFP: "The French authorities told me I was not deported but just expelled, my Schengen visa has not been cancelled and all the stamps are there. So I can legally be in the European Union."

But a French interior ministry spokesman told the agency: "Alexander Shprygin was arrested in the stadium this evening and placed in custody. His case will be examined... and could lead to legal proceedings."

Shprygin is part of a Russian government group overseeing Moscow's preparations for the 2018 World Cup.