Russia was on Wednesday facing a potential six-point deduction from its next European championship qualifying campaign, after UEFA imposed a suspended punishment for the behaviour of the country's fans 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 in Wroclaw, Poland.
Police are also hunting Russian fans who attacked four volunteer stadium stewards after the match, following the broadcast of amateur video footage of a brawl inside the ground. UEFA initiated disciplinary proceedings over the incidents last week, as well as over the display of potentially inflammatory "Russian Empire" flags at the ground in the south-west of the country.
The flags can be seen as 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 an emailed 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 Football Union of Russia (RFS) has also been fined 120,000 euros." 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.
Never Again, a Polish-based organisation part of the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, said Selassie, who is black, heard monkey chants during the game. There was no immediate response from the Russian football federation but the national side was at the centre of a highly charged match against old foes Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday, which took place against the backdrop of massive security.
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 on the streets of Warsaw. 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. Ten police officers were treated for injuries, as well as 10 fans.