Russia and England have been warned by UEFA authorities of a potential suspension from the EURO 2016 championship if their supporters continue to practice acts of violence at the tournament.
The UEFA authority has taken strict measures against the indecent behavior of the fans of Russia and England, issuing a warning to their respective teams. The advisory issued on Sunday fined the teams of a penalty amounting to
€ 150,000 along with a threat of potential disqualification if the fans do not mend their ways.
The match on Saturday seemed to be a crucial one. Ahead of the match, fans were seen embroiled in a violent clash, kicking and mobbing one another. The sad sight before the match led to strict policing by the French authorities that used tear gas to reinstate law and order in the area and control the riot that broke on the streets of France. However, it did not end there. As soon as the match ended in a tie 1-1, the Russian fans charged at the England fans, leading to further chaos at the venue.
Dear dear it never ends #Marseilles pic.twitter.com/7izXuxGvwj
— emma murphy (@emmamurphyitv) June 11, 2016
The violent clash between the fans of the two teams injured more than 30 people, out of which three were police officials. Soon 8 people were arrested for hooliganism which included British, Russian and French citizens.
The football governing body of Europe, UEFA, has already begun proceedings against Russian fans for practicing indecent behavior at Marseilles. The State police held 150 Russian fans for causing violent clashes and sought immediate deportation of the same in order to maintain harmony during the tournament. The charges levied on Russian fans included crowd disturbing, racist comments and fireworks in southern French city’s Stade Velodrome.
BREAKING: French prosecutors say 150 Russians are behind much of the violence in Marseilles during Euro 2016
— The Int’l Spectator (@intlspectator) June 13, 2016
“UEFA expresses its utter disgust for the violent clashes that occurred in the city center of Marseilles, and its serious concern for the incidents at the end of the match inside Stade Velodrome,” UEFA said in a statement. “”This kind of behavior is totally unacceptable and has no place in football.”
The trouble in Marseilles is utterly sickening.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 11, 2016
While UEFA authorities have taken action against the Russian football committee, no action is taken against England football committee whose fans were also involved in clashes and indecent public behavior around the City’ Stade Velodrome in Marseilles. However, since the clashes took place in the surrounding areas, it was outside the jurisdiction of the UEFA authorities to act upon.
The UK government issued an official statement the following day condemning the violent clash and appreciated the move of the UEFA authorities in launching an investigation into the matter. It extended its full support to the UEFA authorities in handling the situation and urged all the fans to remain calm.
