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Euro 2016 organisers UEFA have announced that England and Russia will be disqualified from the tournament if the two teams’ fans continue rioting and inciting violence in France.
The stern warning has been made in the wake of conflict between the two sets of fans prior to yesterday’s match, with footage of them brawling in the stands after the 1-1 draw also being shared online. UEFA branded the behaviour “totally unacceptable”, with the UK government offering to send police over to France in preparation for England’s upcoming match against Wales on Thursday.
With fans clashing with riot police on Saturday afternoon, the violence escalated after Russian supporters scaled the barriers intended to separate them from England fans, with many reportedly forced to flee the Stado Velodrome as a result. Flares and fireworkers were also lit during the match.
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The violence has caused UEFA to pursue disciplinary action against the Russian Football Union, with the result of this case set to be revealed on Tuesday. It is believed that the Union will be fined for their fans’ action though UEFA has stated that it is not looking to also discipline the Football Association.
Footage of the riots in the streets of Marseille prior to England and Russia’s first Euro 2016 match shows French riot police attempting to separate huge crowds of fans, with many hospitalised as a result of the conflict. Images of fans throwing glass bottles and chairs at one another have also appeared.
Russia’s next match will be against Slovakia on Tuesday afternoon, with UEFA’s course of action regarding their disciplinary proceedings against the Russian Football Union set to be revealed later that day.
