Russia have been handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 by Uefa following the crowd violence that has marred the opening days of the tournament.
The Russians have also been fined €150,000 and told they will be kicked out if incidents of a similar nature happen inside the stadium at any of the remaining matches during the tournament.
However, Uefa said it can only take action against a federation if they are found to be guilty of fan trouble inside a stadium, meaning that any repeat of the clashes witnessed in Marseille’s old port – where English and Russian fans fought alongside French locals and gangs – will not result in Russia being thrown out of the competition.
The statement comes as French police launched an operation to arrest some 40 Russians suspected of being involved in violence last week in Marseille.
“As we speak there is a police operation to arrest some 40 of them (hooligans) that may have taken part in these acts in Marseille so that they can no longer do it in the next games with the violence we have seen,” France’s Interior Minioster Bernard Cazeneuve said. “There were photos and videos. They will be stopped.”
Elsewhere, the huge security operation surrounding England’s next Euro 2016 football match has been bolstered amid fears of a fresh wave of violence.
Extra British police will be deployed to France ahead of the next round of Group B matches and authorities in both England and Russia have appealed for supporters to behave. – Independent UK.
