Russia says to abide by 'excessive' UEFA punishment for Euro 2016 unrest

Moscow (AFP) – Russia on Tuesday accepted a UEFA ruling that it will be kicked out of Euro 2016 if there is new stadium unrest after the European governing body slapped the country with a fine and suspended disqualification. 

“We will comply with UEFA’s decision. What other position can there be?” Sports Minister and Russian Football Union president Vitaly Mutko told TASS news agency.

Mutko later told the R-Sport news wire that the punishment was “excessive” but that there was no “no sense” in appealing the decision.

UEFA declared Russia responsible for the stadium disturbances, racist chanting and fireworks thrown during the game with England in Marseille on Saturday.

It ordered the “suspended disqualification” of the team in the event of any more disturbances inside stadiums during the tournament and fined the Russian Football Union 150,000 euros ($170,000).

Reacting to the warning, Russia coach Leonid Slutsky said in France: “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.”

Russia are playing Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday, sparking fears its fans will come into contact with English fans whose team is playing Wales in nearby Lens on Thursday.

After the 1-1 draw in Marseille, Russian fans crossed security barriers inside the Stade Velodrome and attacked England fans. Dozens of English supporters, including women and children, had to flee across security barriers to escape.

Fans from both sides had also clashed in brutal scenes outside the stadium in the run-up to the match.  

UEFA had already warned Russia and England that it could disqualify them if there was more trouble. But only Russia was charged over the conduct of its fans.