Red card

A Russian court has thrown out appeals by members of the feminist protest punk group Pussy Riot, after they were sentenced to jail terms for invading the pitch at the World Cup final. The Moscow City Court upheld their 15-day sentences for breaching rules for spectators. Judge Sergei Misyura said: “I consider the punishment lawful and well-founded.” The activists – Veronika Nikulshina, above, Olga Kuracheva, Olga Pakhtusova and Pyotr Verzilov – who were found guilty last week, said the protest – along with a statement and video – was aimed at highlighting abuses by Russian police.