UEFA Begins Disciplinary Proceedings Against Russia for Euro 2016 Riots

UEFA could take disciplinary action against Russia after the country's fans charged England's supporters during the 1-1 draw between the teams Saturday at the Euro 2016 tournament in France.

UEFA released the following statement on Sunday, per ESPN FC:

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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. This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in football.

Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Russian Football Union (RFU) for the following events occurring inside the stadium: crowd disturbances, setting off of fireworks and throwing of missiles.

A decision on the sanctions to be imposed will be made within the next few days, once the RFU has been able to submit written statements and evidence.

UEFA acknowledges that 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.

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The Sun shared video of the Russian fans streaming into the English section of the stadium:

No disciplinary action has been taken against the English Football Association, though, according to ESPN FC. However, the Telegraph's Sam Wallace noted that UEFA revealed it "will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the FA and Russian Football Union, including the potential disqualification."

BBC.com noted on Monday that "some 150 were behind much of the violence that erupted in Marseille." Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin revealed, per BBC.com, that "10 people—six Britons, three French and an Austrian—face an immediate trial" and "just two Russians had been arrested, both for a pitch invasion." The BBC report continued:

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About 35 people have been injured, four seriously, following three days of clashes in the city. ...

Mr Robin told a news conference: "These people [the Russians] were well prepared for ultra-rapid, ultra-violent action.

"These are extremely well trained people."

Most of the 35 people who were injured in the fighting were English, Mr Robin said, adding that two Russian nationals were being expelled from the country.

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The Associated Press' Rob Harris noted that a French court convicted two England fans of involvement in the rioting in Marseille, with sentences of two and three months in prison, respectively.

Russian MP Igor Lebedev tweeted on Monday about the violence, per BBC.com: "I see nothing wrong with football fans fighting. On the contrary, well done to our boys! Keep up the good work!"

England's Roy Hodgson and Wayne Rooney also spoke to fans in the wake of the violence in hopes of not receiving a ban from the tournament:

Nick Eardley of BBC Scotland reported on Saturday seeing women and children trampled as Russian fans charged the English. It was also reported by the Press Association on Monday that an England supporter is "in critical condition with severe brain injuries after attack by Russia supporters armed with iron bars." 

Much of Saturday leading up to the match in Marseille was marred by fighting and poor behavior as well, namely between Russian, English and French supporters. Those melees included "fistfights and bottle throwing" and required "French police using water cannons and tear gas on rioters hours before the game started," per ESPN FC, resulting in injuries to upward of 20 fans.

Russian supporters have a history of this behavior, as violence broke out when the team played both the Czech Republic and Poland at the Euro 2012 tournament. And Marseille wasn't the only French city to witness violence during this year's tournament, as French locals attacked Northern Ireland and Poland fans in Nice, according to Sam Blewett of the Mirror. 

These outbursts have been a black eye on what has otherwise been an exciting tournament thus far, at least on the pitch. While fan-on-fan brutality is nothing new in world football, French authorities now have a unique challenge on their hands as they attempt to diffuse days of rioting and fighting among the supporters of various countries. 

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