UEFA charges Russia over violence
AFP
AFP, PARIS: UEFA on Sunday charged Russia over totally unacceptable fan clashes at a European Champion match with England but it also said there had been faults in security.
With the tournament facing new high risk games, French authorities said three people remained in serious condition in hospital in Marseille after the clashes before and during Saturdays game.
European footballs governing body said Russian fans faced accusations of crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and setting off flares at the Stade Velodrome.
UEFA expresses its utter disgust for the violent clashes that occurred in the city centre of Marseille, and its serious concern for the incidents at the end of the match inside Stade Velodrome, it said.
This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in football.
UEFA said there were issues with the segregation at the stadium and it would strengthen the deployment of security personnel at future matches.
Russias Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said his countrys fans behaved improperly and conceded UEFA was likely to impose a fine.
English fans said the clashes had been caused by Russian supporters, who charged at them.
There were about 100 Russians. They just came out of nowhere, something was thrown and that started it all off, said one England supporter, who asked not to be named.
The scenes in Marseille caused revulsion in England, which had hoped it had thrown off its past reputation for football hooliganism.
What is wrong with these people? An absolute embarrassment to the country, tweeted former England striker Gary Lineker.
Back in the dark ages? said The Mail on Sunday newspaper.
The Sunday Telegraph said the rioting fans were a disgrace while French sports daily LEquipe said: Fear has already won at the Euros.
