BBC News' Kevin Gearey: local youths seemed to be waiting for trouble

The party mood at an eve-of-tournament parade turned nasty as fans from several countries fought with police.

Bottles and missiles were thrown and 15 officers were injured, one seriously.

The riot police responded with tear gas and quickly brought calm back to the Champs Elysees - one of the world's most famous avenues.

Kevin Geary reports live during the trouble

A BBC correspondent in Paris said Scotland fans in the city for the World Cup opener against Brazil were caught up in the fighting but did not appear to have been part of it.

Trouble on the streets

It is not yet known who started the fighting. One Scotland fan blamed a group of Moroccans. Others say Argentinian fans were responsible.

Some supporters accused the police of heavy-handedness.

The trouble involved youths of many different nationalities, and appeared to include local people.

It was unclear whether they were fighting each other or the police.

It is thought the trouble began in a bar shortly after the parade to mark the opening of the tournament had passed along the avenue.

Scottish fans injured

Some Scottish fans described how Argentinian football supporters threw missiles at them.

David Mckay, 24, from Aberdeen, was injured when a glass bottle struck him on the side of the head.

Riot police order away a Scotland fan

He was with members of the so-called 'tartan army', the Scotland team's travelling supporters, when fighting broke out.

He said: "We had been having great fun with all the other nationalities but then some Argentinian football supporters turned up and started to throw cans of beer and bottles.

"I felt a thud on the side of my face and that was when I realised I had been hit by a bottle. It didn't hurt too much though but that's probably the effect of the alcohol."

A Scottish fan gives his version of events

But another fan said: "A Moroccan guy ran into the middle of the Scottish fans and started throwing punches. Behind me Moroccan guys started throwing bottles.

"We were with Brazilians, Algerians and Colombians having a laugh. The Moroccans felt they had to fight the Jocks."

Eight people were arrested. The authorities also say vehicles along the route of the parade were damaged.

Earlier, peaceful scenes had been reported with many Scottish fans enjoying themselves in the sun and in packed street bars and cafes, ahead of their team's game with Brazil.