Russia Handed Suspended Disqualification From EURO’s 2016, Fined €150,000

Russia Handed Suspended Disqualification From EURO’s 2016, Fined €150,000

Europe’s football governing body Uefa, has announced that Russia will be disqualified from Euro 2016 if there are further acts of violence at their remaining tournament matches.

Following crowd trouble and pre-match violence involving Russian and English fans during Saturday’s Group B clash in Marseille, Uefa has given Russia a suspended disqualification and a 150,000 euro fine.

The Independent control, ethics and disciplinary body, in a statement confirmed: “A suspended disqualification of the Russian national team from Uefa Euro 2016 for the crowd disturbances. In accordance with Article 20 of the Uefa disciplinary regulations this disqualification is suspended until the end of the tournament.”

The suspended disqualification and fine only relate to incidents that happened inside the Stade Velodrome. This decision is open to appeal.

Similarly, groups of Russian fans are being deported from France after repeated scenes of violence at the championships, while a number of English fans were charged and sentenced for unruly behavoiur, BBC reports.

The activities of hooligans and fears of possible terror attacks at the venues are threatening to mar the competition thus far, prompting French authorities and Uefa to come down hard on mischief makers.

Six English fans were jailed on Monday for their roles in the skirmish that left 35 people injured – most of them English fans – while a total of 20 people were arrested after three days of disorder in Marseille.

England will face neighbours Wales in Lens on Thursday, with their fans expected to make the journey through Lille, where Russia will be taking on Slovakia on Wednesday.