Euro 2016: Russia charged by Uefa but no action against England over Marseille stadium clashes
Europe's administrative body for association football opt not to open case against English FA
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Uefa has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Football Union of Russia after fans clashed at the 1-1 draw between England and Russia in their Euro 2016 match in Marseille.
The administrative body for football in Europe expressed “utter disgust” at the violence at the Stade Velodrome. Uefa has not opened any case against the English Football Association.
It said it a statement: “This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in football.
“There were segregation issues at Stade Velodrome and will implement corrective measures to strengthen the deployment of security personnel at stadiums, in close collaboration with local authorities.”
The control, ethics and disciplinary bodies of Uefa will judge the Russia case on Tuesday ahead of their second Euro 2016 Group B match against Slovakia on Wednesday.
Charges against Russia are for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks, it confirmed.
England fans were charged by large sections of the Russian support, with video footage showing how many clambered over seats and stanchions to escape the stadium.
No segregation was in place between the two sets of supporters bar a blue sheet of tarpaulin which could easily be traversed.
French eye-witness media reports placed most of the blame for Saturday’s violence in Marseille on small, well-organised “commandos” of Russian hooligans.
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, and a number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans.
Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said he was expecting Uefa to announce it would fine Russia.
"We behaved incorrectly," R-Sport news agency reported him as saying.
The France coach, Didier Deschamps, has condemned the violence in Marseille. “It’s sad to see this,” Deschamps said on the television channel TF1. “It sends chills down your spine. These people are not fans. They use football to do acts of barbarism, violence.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments