Russia fined, warned of suspension from Euro by UEFA

Nyon (Switzerland), June 14 (IANS) The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) fined Russia 150,000 euros ($168,200) on Tuesday over their football fans' misconduct during their opening match of the Euro 2016 against England last week.

UEFA also issued a provisional suspension for Russia, implying they would be disqualified from the major European football tournament in case of the recurrent instance of Russian fans' misbehaviour, reports Efe.

The Russian Football Union (RFU) will not be filing an appeal against the decision passed by UEFA, RFU president and Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Tuesday.

"A disciplinary decision has been made and we are waiting for an official notification," Mutko said. "We will be following the decision of UEFA and there must be no other stance of the RFU."

Altercations erupted between Russian and English fans ahead of the June 11 group stage match. Brawls began on Thursday in Marseille, peaking into Saturday's match.

Law enforcement resorted to tear gas, smoke pellets and water cannons to disperse the brawlers.

The match ended 1-1 in Marseille at the Stade Velodrome.

The Euro 2016 competing teams were divided into six groups, with Russia placed into Group B, sharing it with England, Wales and Slovakia.

Russia is playing its next round-robin match against Slovakia on Wednesday, June 15, at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.

England is scheduled to face Wales on Thursday, June 16, at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens.

--IANS

sam/vt