England and Russia threatened with expulsion from Euro 2016 over fan violence
England have been warned that they will be thrown out of Euro 2016 if the incidents of fan violence that marred the build-up to their opening match against Russia are repeated.
European governing body Uefa has also threatened Russia with the same punishment, following repeated clashes between supporters from both countries in Marseille over the weekend.
In a separate move, Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia after some of their supporters appeared to invade and attack a section of England fans at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
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“The Uefa executive committee would like to express its disgust for the violent clashes which occurred in the city of Marseille,” it said.
“Such unacceptable behaviour by so-called supporters of the national teams of England and Russia has no place in football, a sport we must protect and defend.
“The Uefa executive committee has warned both football associations that — irrespective of any decisions taken by the independent disciplinary bodies relating to incidents inside the stadium — it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association and the Russian Football Union, including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again.”
Segregation issues
Uefa also said it “acknowledges that there were segregation issues” at England’s first match of Euro 2016 and vowed to strengthen security at a tournament already on alert over possible terrorist attacks.
The charges Uefa levelled at Russia were of crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and the throwing missiles and fireworks. A decision on any punishment for the alleged offences within the Stade Velodrome is expected on Tuesday. Russia, which is due to host the next World Cup in 2018, play Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday.
It is the second consecutive European Championship at which Russia has faced action over fan behaviour. In 2012 fans assaulted stadium staff, earning a suspended points deduction for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
Clashes in downtown Marseille
The clashes in downtown Marseille took place over three days and involved locals as well as supporters from England and Russia. Eyewitnesses said French police liberally used tear gas. Several combatants were hospitalised with injuries.
England took the lead against Russia through Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier’s free-kick but conceded an injury-time equaliser when Vasili Berezutski climbed highest to score a looping header.
Roy Hodgson’s men take on Wales in a home nations clash on Thursday in Lens. Wales started their tournament with a 2-1 win over Slovakia in Bordeaux earlier on Saturday.