Russia handed ‘suspended’ ban from Euro 2016

UEFA on Tuesday ordered the “suspended disqualification” of Russia from the European Championship declaring they will be ordered out if there is more crowd trouble in a stadium at the tournament.

Russia were also fined €150,000 over unrest in the stadium when the country played England in Marseille on Saturday.

Russia were found guilty by Europe’s governing body of crowd disturbances, racist chanting and throwing fireworks.

Earlier, the Kremlin described the “riots” involving Russian fans at Euro 2016 as unacceptable and called on them not to react to any provocation at the tournament.

“This is absolutely unacceptable. We count on Russian citizens and fans to obey the laws of the country they are in,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

“We can only call on our fans not to react to any sort of provocation. Fans from a whole range of countries took part in the riots. Unfortunately, from Russia as well,” he said.

Amid mounting accusations against Russian fans over bloody clashes with England supporters, UEFA charged the Russian Football Union over the disturbances, racist chanting and fireworks thrown at their opening match against England in Marseille.

Local authorities said on Tuesday that a group of Russian football supporters was being thrown out of France because it was feared they would cause more trouble.

Authorities were checking the identities of 29 supporters at a hotel near Marseille and some of them would be taken to a holding centre at the border, local authorities told AFP.

Peskov said the consulate in France was providing support to the Russian citizens.

It is believed the supporters intended to travel to the northern city of Lille, where Russia play Slovakia on Wednesday.