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Russia handed Euro 2016 suspended disqualification by UEFA plus £118,000 fine

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Russia have been handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016

Russia have been handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 by UEFA and fined following violent scenes in Marseille.

The Russians will remain in the competition, but have been warned that further serious violence inside stadiums will see them kicked out.

Russian hooligans charged England fans inside the ground after the two teams drew 1-1 on Saturday night.

There were also three days of violence in the old port area of Marseille, which resulted in dozens of injuries - mostly to Englishmen.

Flares were set off before the game had concluded
Image: Flares were set off before the game had concluded

"Charges relating to crowd disturbances, use of fireworks and racist behaviour had been brought against the RFU (Russian Football Union)," UEFA, which fined the Russians £118,000, said in a statement.

"Such suspension will be lifted if incidents of a similar nature (crowd disturbances) happen inside the stadium at any of the remaining matches of the Russian team during the tournament."  

The decision only relates to incidents which occurred inside the stadium and are therefore under the jurisdiction of the UEFA disciplinary bodies. The decision is open to appeal but the Russians have confirmed they will not do so, though they say the punishment is "excessive.

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Fights between Russian and England fans after the match in Marseille
Image: Fights broke out between Russian and England fans after the match in Marseille

Russia's sports minister Vitaly Mutko said: "A disciplinary decision has been made and we are waiting for an official notification.

"We will be following the decision of UEFA and there must be no other stance from the RFU (Russian FA). The punishment is excessive, but we cannot influence it. The fine is enormous as the Russian Football Union is a non-commercial organisation. There is no sense in appealing."

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French police have stopped a bus carrying Russian fans as they being a crackdown on potential troublemakers at Euro 2016

If Russia are expelled from Euro 2016, UEFA has confirmed that their results will be null and void.

Reacting to the warning, Russia coach Leonid Slutsky said: "We are sure that our supporters will not do the same and will not give any reasons to disqualify our team. 

"We are sure that we are not going to be kicked (out) - there is not going to be any injustice."

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