UEFA opens disciplinary action against Russia for crowd disturbances and racist behaviour

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia over the behaviour of their supporters at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

The governing body are investigating Russia fans over crowd disturbances, racist behaviour and setting off fireworks after supporters broke through a partition inside the stadium and attacked England fans at the final whistle of the 1-1 draw on Saturday.

The incident followed violent brawls on the streets of Marseille prior to kick off in which gangs of Russian hooligans were understood to have attacked England supporters, leaving two critically ill in hospital and dozens injured.

In one episode a man was kicked repeatedly in the head and apparently required resuscitation. In another, a fan was struck on the head with a chair and crumpled to the ground.

Supporters of England, French clubs including Marseille, and police clashed in the Vieux Port area throughout the afternoon, with police struggling to restore order with the use of tear gas and a water cannon.

UEFA are unable to do anything about events in the city-centre but have said its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will decide the matter of events inside the stadium - its jurisdiction - on Tuesday June 14.

England fan Ben McDowell told Sky Sports News HQ: "As we got closer to the ground, I could see a row of Russian fans marching down the row towards the England fans. They had masks on and I could see it was going to kick off.

"Before I knew it, a bottle got smashed and tear gas went up in the air, and me and some friends got caught up in it. We had to make tracks to get out of their quickly.

"It was disappointing because the England fans were just there, it was a good atmosphere, not a hostile one at all, but then the Russia fans turned up and it ruined it just before the game."

On the same night, violence broke out in nearby Nice, with unconfirmed reports of local Nice "Ultras" attacking Northern Ireland and Poland fans ahead of their Group C match on Sunday. 

Regional authorities said in a statement that nine people were hospitalised, including a woman who suffered cranial trauma, and three people were arrested.

Concerns have now been raised over security arrangements for England's second Group B match against Wales in Lens on Thursday, which is preceded on Wednesday with Russia playing Slovakia in Lille - less than 30 minutes away by train.

Local media quoting Marseille police say a total of 35 people were injured in Saturday's violence, four seriously, but their nationalities are yet to be confirmed.

French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve condemned the violence, praised the security services and said anyone arrested would be banned from stadiums and fan zones.

He said: "The security forces can't be diverted from their public security mission by the reckless behaviour and deliberate pseudo-fans whose only motivation is to disrupt public order and whose interior minister condemns the unacceptable conduct."