Russia given ‘suspended’ ban from Euro 2016

Uefa on Tuesday ordered the “suspended disqualification” of Russia from the European Championship declaring they will be ordered out if there is more crowd trouble in a stadium at the tournament.

Russia were also fined €150,000 (N46M) over unrest in the stadium when Russia played England in Marseille on Saturday. Russia were found guilty by Europe’s governing body of crowd disturbances, racist chanting and throwing fireworks.

“This disqualification is suspended until the end of the tournament,” said the Uefa disciplinary commission decision.

“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,” it added.

Uefa stressed that its order only applied to trouble inside stadiums where the governing body is responsible for security.

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.

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.