By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 14 – Russia have been sensationally handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 over the disgraceful scenes at Saturday’s fixture against England in Marseille, with UEFA effectively giving them one last chance to control their fans or face the humiliation of being thrown out of the competition.
In the clearest possible message that it had lost patience and would tolerate no more outbreaks of fan violence, UEFA, has also issued Russia with a €150,000 fine.
As French police started deporting some of the Russian fans responsible for the trouble at the Stade de Velodrome, UEFA’s sanction related to charges of “crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour” .
The verdict came after a meeting of UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body met in Paris to consider the case. Any further incidents inside grounds and the ultimate penalty will be applied.
“Such suspension will be lifted if incidents of a similar nature (crowd disturbances) happen inside the stadium at any of the remaining matches of the Russian team during the tournament,” a statement said.
Incidents outside stadiums in city centre streets, still very much a major concern for the authorities ahead of Russia’s next game in Lille, do not fall under UEFA’s jurisdiction, however.
Prior to UEFA’s announcement, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman said: “Violations of the law have been committed by fans from various nations, who have gone on rampages in Marseille and some other places. It’s absolutely unacceptable, and we certainly expect our citizens to respect the country’s laws. Regrettably, fans from various nations have taken part in those rampages, regrettably including Russia.”
Russian sport minister Vitaly Mutko has confirmed his federation will not appeal UEFA’s decision which heaps enormous embarrassment on organisers of the 2018 World Cup which will now come under renewed and unwanted spotlight at the worst possible time.
It was also revealed on Tuesday that a coach carrying a group of Russian fans suspected of being part of the Marseille assaults was stopped, with the head of the Russian Union of Fans, Alexander Shprygin, claiming that they were totally innocent.
“Police are now dragging us out of the bus, they’ve announced deportation. No reasons are being given. There are 50 people in the bus. This is some kind of show-off, none of us were detained in Marseilles riots, but for some reason they’re targeting the official fans union delegation,” Shprygin said on Twitter.
Footage of last Saturday’s violence following the 1-1 draw with England appeared to demonstrate that attacks on English supporters were well-planned. Officials say around 150 hardcore Russian hooligans orchestrated the violence in Marseille.
Clearly UEFA have taken into account the track record of Russian fans. UEFA handed Russia a six-point deduction suspended for three and a half years as a result of fan behaviour during Euro 2012, a penalty that would have applied to any serious trouble during Euro 2016 qualifying. Russia were punished three times during the 2012 finals, including for displaying illicit banners and a pitch invasion.
If Russia were to be disqualified, an emergency panel would convene to decide what would happen to the team’s results. The relevant article states: “If an association is disqualified during the competition, the results of all of its matches are declared null and void, and the points awarded forfeited.”
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