Suspended disqualification for Russia
Russia will be thrown out of the Euro 2016 if there is any repeat of the violence by Russian fans which marred the end of the match against England, UEFA said on Tuesday.
UEFA imposed a suspended disqualification on the Russian Football Union (RFU) in response to the attacks by masked Russian supporters on England fans at the end of the 1-1 Group B draw at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday. The governing body said the disqualification would take effect if the fans caused more trouble inside a stadium at any of Russia’s remaining matches.
“Charges relating to crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour had been brought against the RFU (Russian Football Union),” UEFA said in a statement announcing the suspended disqualification. It also fined the RFU 150,000 euros.
The ruling only applied to violence inside a stadium, although Russian fans were also involved in violent clashes with England supporters in the port city before and after the match. The violence in the stadium followed three days of clashes between English, Russian and French fans in the Mediterranean port city that drew a strong response from riot police, including volleys of tear gas and baton charges.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said on Tuesday that police had detained a group of Russia fans near Cannes on the French Riviera. They were heading towards the northern city of Lille and were suspected of being involved in the Marseilles violence. Riot police surrounded the bus as it left Cannes for the north. RUSSIA LOOK TO MAKE IT TO KNOCKOUTS
LILLE: Fresh from holding England in Marseille in their Euro 2016 Group B opener, Russia face Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday knowing a win would all but secure progression to the last 16.
But on the pitch in Marseille there was a happy ending for Leonid Slutsky’s side as captain Vasili Berezutski’s stoppagetime equaliser saw them earn a 1-1 draw against the Group B favourites.
That also means a victory at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, a day before England face Wales just along the road, would pile pressure on Roy Hodgson’s men in particular.
“I am not a saviour and one point does not really mean that much,” Berezutski told UEFA. com, playing down the significance of his goal before Slutsky’s side travelled to the northern city of Lille to face the Slovakians.