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Sunday 12 June 2016

Euro 2016: 'Disgusted' Uefa charge Russia over fan violence

Uefa has begun disciplinary proceedings against Russia's Football Union after "totally unacceptable" scenes at Saturday's England-Russia game.
Footage appeared to show Russia fans rush at England supporters after the Euro 2016 1-1 draw in Marseille.
Charges against Russia were for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks, Uefa confirmed.
There were issues with segregation of fans, the body admitted, promising security would be "strengthened".
Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart.
A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape.
Earlier in the day, England, Russia and local fans were embroiled in ugly clashes with riot police, with a number of bloodied fans being taken to hospital.

'Utter disgust'

Responding to Uefa's announcement, Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko it had "done the right thing" to start a disciplinary case, R-Sport news agency reported.
"It's the right thing, there were flares, there was a flare gun, there had been clashes in the stands, it's necessary to sort all of this out," he reportedly said.
"The fans were rooting greatly, but there are people who do not come for the football."
He was earlier quoted as saying there were "many nuances" to what happened, and Russian officials would investigate.
Russia England matchImage copyrightPA
Image captionSome Russia supporters had smuggled in flares which they set off at the end of the match
Russia fans, some wearing scarves over their faces, rushed towards England fans at the end of the matchImage copyrightPA
Image captionA number of Russia fans rushed towards England fans at the end of the match
Some wearing scarves over their faces, while others wore mouth guards and fighting gloves, one witness saidImage copyrightAP
Image captionSome wearing scarves over their faces, while others wore mouth guards and fighting gloves, one witness said
Fans in Marseille stadium climb fences to escape troubleImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionMany fans, including families with children, tried to escape the trouble by frantically climbing over the perimeter fence
In a statement, European football's governing body expressed "utter disgust" over the clashes in the city centre, and "serious concern" at the incidents inside the Stade Velodrome.
"Corrective measures" to strengthen the deployment of security personnel would be implemented, it said.
Meanwhile, the world football governing body Fifa strongly condemned the "shameful scenes" between "idiotic troublemakers" at the European Championship.

'Slack' security

England spectators who were at the match have described a "desperate scramble" to escape charging Russia fans, some of who were wearing gum shields and MMA (mixed martial arts) gloves, one witness claimed.
Cory McLeod, who was in the stadium, told the BBC: "A wall of Russian fans charged at our section, which had kids, women, and even some Russian fans in.
"I couldn't see if any of them had weapons or anything but people were running fast, it was manic, just a desperate scramble towards a large fence in the corner."
Others spoke of "slack" security. Sam Blackwell, from Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, said the only entry search was "a quick pat down".
"This would go a long way to explaining how the Russian fans got flares, fireworks and whatever the big bang was into the ground."
Sanctions against Russia will be decided at a disciplinary meeting on Tuesday, Uefa said.
BBC sports editor Dan Roan said as hosts of the 2018 World Cup, Russia was under intense scrutiny.
Uefa's decision would also come under scrutiny, he said, with Russia's next match against Slovakia taking place in Lille on Wednesday - the day before England's match against Wales just 24 miles away in Lens.

Analysis

Russia England matchImage copyrightLARS BARON
by Phil McNulty, BBC chief football writer, in Marseille
From the moment England and Russia fans started flooding into Marseille, there was an undercurrent of tension and violence that was transformed into scenes that were a throwback to some of football's worst hooligan excesses of the past.
In the steamy, humid environment of this port city, with alcohol flowing freely, all the ingredients were in place for events that unfolded in the Vieux-Port de Marseille.
As a long, hot Saturday wore on towards a late kick-off, the scenery shifted to the magnificent, sweeping curves of the Stade Velodrome, culminating in the disgraceful incidents that took place just seconds after full-time.
It was particularly disturbing given the high levels of security and policing that were in evidence around the stadium as the authorities remain on high alert after November's Paris attacks. Security, here at least, seemed in very short supply.
It was the sort of hooliganism the game's rulers hoped had been stamped out but has reared its head in sinister fashion less than 48 hours into Euro 2016.

Fans 'caged'

Russia were previously punished for the behaviour of their fans inside stadiums at all three of their group games during Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.
Its football union was fined a total of £150,000 and given a suspended six-point deduction from its qualifying campaign for Euro 2016. This was reduced on appeal.
Three tweets: Image copyrightREBEKAH VARDY/TWITTER
Image captionRebekah Vardy tweeted about her experience before the England match with Russia
Uefa said it had not taken any action against the English FA, as skirmishes involving England fans before kick-off fell outside its remit.
Police in riot gear clashed with England fans in Marseille's Old Port area and used tear gas for a third day on Saturday, as well as water cannon, as fist fights and bottle throwing broke out.
Wife of England and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, Rebekah, tweeted that she was among bystanders gassed and "caged" by French officials outside the stadium.
A bloodied England fan was among a number detained by policeImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionA bloodied England fan was among a number detained by police
Police using tear gasImage copyrightREUTERS
Image captionPolice used tear gas for a third day, as well as water canon, in an attempt to disperse fans
As many as 20 England fans were injured, with a number taken to hospital, and at least one Briton is understood to be in a critical condition.
There were also clashes in the city of Nice between police and fans from Northern Ireland and Poland, who are due to play their opening match later on Sunday. Six people were reportedly injured, before order was restored.

'Extreme violence'

Speaking earlier, shadow home secretary Andy Burnham said the security issues inside the stadium needed to be addressed immediately.
Skirmishes involving England fans also broke out ahead of the game in the city's port areaImage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image captionSkirmishes involving England fans also broke out ahead of the game in the city's port area
The MP had previously criticised England fans' behaviour in the days before the match, but said inside the stadium England fans were subjected to "pretty extreme violence" from Russia supporters which appeared to be orchestrated.
He also called on the UK government to respond to the incident with a statement in Parliament to clarify "the facts".
Marseille's Stade Velodrome next hosts a match on Wednesday, when France play Albania.

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