Euro 2012: Uefa punish Russians over fans

Russia will spend the next three and a half years playing under the threat of a six-point deduction for their 2016 European Championship qualifying campaign after Uefa yesterday got tough over the behaviour of their supporters.

The Russian Football Union (RFS) were also fined €120,000 (£96,761) for the “violent, offensive and unsafe” conduct of their fans during their opening Euro 2012 Group A match against Czech Republic last Friday.

It could get worse for the RFS, with Uefa confirming they are still investigating allegations Czech defender Theodor Gebre Selassie was subjected to racist monkey chanting during his side’s 4-1 defeat at Wroclaw’s 40,000-capacity Municipal Stadium.

European football’s governing body could also take action over the behaviour of Russia supporters during Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Poland, which was marred by violence outside the National Stadium in Warsaw.

Fans inside the ground also displayed a giant “This is Russia” flag, something that could be seen as an illicit banner if it is deemed to relate to the decades of Moscow control over Poland during the Cold War.

Uefa said in a statement: “The Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body has today decided to impose a deduction of six points on the Football Union of Russia (RFS) in the qualifying round of the next Uefa European Football Championship. This decision is suspended for a probationary period running from now until the end of the play-offs of the next Uefa European Football Championship (Uefa Euro 2016).

“The Football Union of Russia (RFS) has also been fined €120,000.

“The RFS was facing charges for the improper conduct of its supporters (crowd disturbances), the setting off and throwing of fireworks and the display of illicit banners at last Friday’s UEFA Euro 2012 Group A match against the Czech Republic.

“An appeal can be lodged against this decision within three days of the dispatch of the written decision.”