UEFA threatens to boot England, Russia out of Euro 2016 if violence persists

Both England and Russia could see their Euro 2016 campaigns come to a premature end should their fans continue to engage in violence, as UEFA has threatened to disqualify both nations should the ugly scenes that gripped Marseille over the past three days persist. The governing body has already opened an investigation into the behaviour of the Russian supporters following Saturday's 1-1 draw between the two sides at Stade Velodrome. The final whistle of that contest saw Russian fans break a line of stewards and charge toward their English counterparts, many of whom - seated in a section that included young children - were forced to leap over barriers to avoid being attacked.
The build-up to the game was marred by three days' worth of violent clashes between both combative fans and local police, with tear gas deployed, property destroyed, and many people suffering serious injuries throughout the city. UEFA has maintained it can only impose sanctions for incidents that take place inside the stadiums at the tournament, but noted that both teams could face severe punishment if such barbaric incidents continue.

"The UEFA Executive Committee would like to express its disgust for the violent clashes which occurred in the city of Marseille," the statement reads. "Such unacceptable behaviour by so-called supporters of the national teams of England and Russia has no place in football, a sport we must protect and defend.
"The UEFA Executive Committee has warned both football associations that - irrespective of any decisions taken by the independent disciplinary bodies relating to incidents inside the stadium - it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions on the Football Association (FA) and the Russian Football Union (RFU), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again.
"We urge both the FA and the RFU to appeal to their supports to behave in a responsible and respectful manner."

The charges facing the Russian football association include fireworks being set off inside the stadium and racist behaviour. A decision on potential sanctions will be made ahead of the team's next match against Slovakia, after UEFA's control, ethics, and disciplinary board meets Tuesday. Despite the obvious involvement of, and instigation by, Russian fans, the nation's sports minister claimed Sunday the incidents in Marseille were neither serious nor the fault of his country's supporters.
"There was no clash ... That’s being exaggerated, in fact everything is fine here," Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport, per The Guardian. "When the match ended, there was no barrier between the fans. The British were upset, of course, but it all quickly dissolved. Such matches should be organised properly. It is necessary to separate the fans (at the stadium)."