Russian Federation handed suspended Euro 2016 disqualification and fined €150000

UEFA announced earlier on Tuesday its decision to fine the RFU €150,000 ($168,200) over Russian football fans’ misconduct during their national team’s opening match of the 2016 Euro Cup against England last week.

Hundreds of Russian fans charged at the Stade Velodrome following the final whistle in the 1-1 draw to attack England fans.

The suspended disqualification ultimately means that the Russians will remain in the tournament for the time being, but another incident inside a stadium will see them kicked out by the governing body.

But Football Association chair Greg Dyke wrote to UEFA to argue that while “a minority” of English fans were responsible for violence in Marseille, they were not to blame for the fighting at the end of the match.

French authorities have pledged to increase security in Lens by deploying 2,400 police, gendarmes, security guards and a riot squad.

The start to the European Championships in France has been marred by widespread fan trouble, with many reports blaming Russian supporters for the violence.

A senior Russian football official and politician has praised his country’s football hooligans, claiming they were defending the nation’s honour and that it was “normal” for fans to fight at matches.

The French government gave police chiefs powers to ban alcohol sales and consumption from the day before matches near the 10 stadiums and fan zones being used for the month-long, 24-nation tournament.

When UEFA’s disciplinary panel judges incidents in Marseille, it could take Russian fans’ track record at Euro 2012 into account.

According to Libby Dawes of BBC Sport, UEFA gave Russian Federation a “suspended disqualification”, meaning they will remain in the tournament but will be disqualified should their supporters be involved in any more disturbances.

Six English fans, meanwhile, were detained on Monday for their roles in the disturbances.

Russia’s coach, Leonid Slutsky, also criticised the “unethical” behaviour of England fans and said it was unfair to only blame the Russians.