UEFA Warns England And Russia

UEFA on Sunday warned Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFS) that if violence occurs again their respective teams could be disqualified from the Euro 2016 championship tournament.

It has been reported that around 35 people were injured – including three police – as England and Russia soccer fans brawled before and after a matchup that ended in a 1-1 draw in the Euro 2016 championship.

“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,” UEFA said in a statement.

“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 (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFS), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again,” UEFA said.

UEFA urged both the FA and the RFS to appeal to their supporters to behave in a responsible and respectful manner.

Additionally, UEFA said Sunday that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Russian Football Union, adding that it also “expresses its utter disgust for the violent clashes that occurred in the city centre of Marseille.”

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Russian Football Union (RFS) for the following events occurring inside the stadium: crowd disturbances, setting off of fireworks and throwing of missiles. A decision on the sanctions to be imposed will be made within the next few days, once the RFS has been able to submit written statements and evidence,” UEFA said.