Russia fined, facing tough sanction over fans

Russia was on Wednesday facing a potential six-point deduction from its next European championship qualifying campaign, after UEFA imposed a suspended punishment for its fans' behaviour at Euro 2012. European football's governing body slapped a 120,000-euro ($150,000, 96,000-pound) fine on the Football Union of Russia (RFS) after supporters set off and threw fireworks during the Group A opener with the Czech Republic last Friday. Police are also hunting Russian fans who attacked four volunteer stadium stewards after the match in Wroclaw, southwest Poland. UEFA initiated disciplinary proceedings over the incidents last week, as well as over the display of potentially inflammatory "Russian Empire" flags at the ground. The flags can be deeply provocative in parts of Eastern Europe that used to be under Moscow's thumb, including Poland, and were reported by a UEFA-backed racism monitoring body. "The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has today (Wednesday) 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," UEFA said in a statement. "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 behaviour of Russia's fans has been under scrutiny since their 4-1 win over the Czech Republic, with UEFA also investigating claims that a section of supporters racially abused Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is of Ethiopian origin. Selassie, who is black, is alleged to have heard monkey chants during the game. Racism was seen as a concern even before the start of Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, which is the first-ever edition of the quadrennial competition to be held behind the former Iron Curtain. UEFA and the co-hosts have had to deny reports that far-right extremists are rife at football grounds in both countries, while Dutch players said they were abused during a public training session in the southern Polish city of Krakow. The head of the Russian football federation, Sergei Fursenko, said they intended to appeal, although he accepted the penalty for the stewards' attack as "deserved". "It's a very disappointing situation when the team has to be responsible for its fans unruly behaviour," he was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency. Russia and Poland were meanwhile both facing UEFA disciplinary sanctions over the behaviour of fans at their highly charged match in Warsaw on Tuesday, which took place against the backdrop of massive security and ended 1-1. Both sets of supporters set off fireworks, while one Russia fan got on the pitch and a far-right banner was seen in the stands. Outside the ground, more than 180 supporters were detained after police were forced to use water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse violent fans who clashed, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to express "concern". "Organisers of international competitions bear responsibility for the security of foreign fans", the Kremlin leader's spokesman told Itar-Tass news agency. Police, who had 6,000 officers out in force, arrested 157 Poles and 24 Russians, as well as a Spaniard, a Hungarian and an Algerian. Some 20 people, including 10 police, were treated for injuries. UEFA said it condemned the violence, calling those involved "groups of known troublemakers" rather than genuine fans, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said those involved were "idiots" who would feel the full force of the law.