Euro 2016: Uefa charge Russia over fan violence

A number of Russia fans rushed towards England fans at the end of the match
(Image: PA)

Uefa has begun disciplinary proceedings against Russia's Football Union after "totally unacceptable" scenes at Saturday's England-Russia game.

Footage appeared to show Russia fans rush at England supporters after the Euro 2016 1-1 draw in Marseille.

Some wearing scarves over their faces, while others wore mouth guards and fighting gloves, one witness said  (Image: AP)

Charges against Russia were for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks, Uefa confirmed.

There were issues with segregation of fans, the body admitted, promising security would be "strengthened".

Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart.

A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape.

Earlier in the day, England, Russia and local fans were embroiled in ugly clashes with riot police, with a number of bloodied fans being taken to hospital.

'Utter disgust'

Responding to Uefa's announcement, Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko it had "done the right thing" to start a disciplinary case, R-Sport news agency reported.

"It's the right thing, there were flares, there was a flare gun, there had been clashes in the stands, it's necessary to sort all of this out," he reportedly said.

Police used tear gas for a third day, as well as water canon, in an attempt to disperse fans  (Image: Reuters)

"The fans were rooting greatly, but there are people who do not come for the football."

He was earlier quoted as saying there were "many nuances" to what happened, and Russian officials would investigate.

In a statement, European football's governing body expressed "utter disgust" over the clashes in the city centre, and "serious concern" at the incidents inside the Stade Velodrome.

"Corrective measures" to strengthen the deployment of security personnel would be implemented, it said.

Meanwhile, the world football governing body Fifa strongly condemned the "shameful scenes" between "idiotic troublemakers" at the European Championship.

'Slack' security

England spectators who were at the match have described a "desperate scramble" to escape charging Russia fans, some of who were wearing gum shields and MMA (mixed martial arts) gloves, one witness claimed.

Cory McLeod, who was in the stadium, told the BBC: "A wall of Russian fans charged at our section, which had kids, women, and even some Russian fans in.

"I couldn't see if any of them had weapons or anything but people were running fast, it was manic, just a desperate scramble towards a large fence in the corner."

Others spoke of "slack" security. Sam Blackwell, from Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, said the only entry search was "a quick pat down".

"This would go a long way to explaining how the Russian fans got flares, fireworks and whatever the big bang was into the ground."

Sanctions against Russia will be decided at a disciplinary meeting on Tuesday, Uefa said.

BBC sports editor Dan Roan said as hosts of the 2018 World Cup, Russia was under intense scrutiny.

Uefa's decision would also come under scrutiny, he said, with Russia's next match against Slovakia taking place in Lille on Wednesday - the day before England's match against Wales just 24 miles away in Lens.