Russia Handed Suspended Disqualification and Fined for Euro 2016 Riots

Russia have been given a suspended ban from UEFA Euro 2016 and a hefty fine in response to their supporters' involvement in violence toward England fans in their opening Group B game, UEFA announced on Tuesday. 

According to Libby Dawes of BBC Sport, UEFA gave Russia a "suspended disqualification," meaning they will remain in the tournament but will be disqualified should their supporters be involved in any more disturbances.

Further, they have incurred a fine of €150,000. Russia play their second group game on Wednesday against Slovakia in Lille, France.

Per Dawes, UEFA released a statement explaining the ban is suspended for the duration of the tournament, but "such suspension will be lifted if incidents of a similar nature (crowd disturbances) happen inside the stadium of any of the remaining matches of the Russian team during the tournament."

Thanassis Stavrakis/Associated Press

The charges against the Russian Football Union related not only to the violence inside the Stade Velodrome in Marseille but also to the "use of fireworks and racist behaviour," and the ruling can be appealed.

The Independent's Ian Herbert and Sky News' Paul Kelso provided comments from Russian coach Leonid Slutsky and striker Artem Dzyuba following UEFA's decision:

Per BBC Sport, a number of Russian supporters have been deported from France because of the violence that occurred in Marseille, while only the incidents that took place inside the stadium are "under the jurisdiction of UEFA disciplinary bodies," which is why they can be punished by European football's governing body, per Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

Sky Sports News HQ noted Russia have avoided being hit with an alternative punishment of docked points:

The Telegraph's Ben Rumsby supplied further details:

Football writers Barney Ronay and Liam Canning condemned what they perceived to be a lenient punishment for Russia:

The crowd troubles have certainly taken the gloss off what has otherwise been an excellent start to Euro 2016, but with UEFA now imposing sanctions, there will hopefully be an end to the disturbances.

Russia will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the incidents that have occurred in France raise serious questions over their suitability to do so safely.