Poland, Russia facing action after crowd trouble

WARSAW (AFP) –

Polish football fans beat a Russian football fan during clashes in Warsaw on June 12. Poland is facing action from UEFA after fireworks were set off and thrown during their Group A match.

Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland are facing action from UEFA after fireworks were set off and thrown during their Group A match with Russia, European football’s governing body said on Wednesday.

UEFA said in an emailed statement that it was also taking steps against Russia for the same reason as well as for the display of “illicit banners” and after one supporter got on the pitch at Tuesday’s match in Warsaw.

But the disciplinary proceedings would “not have any impact” on tough sanctions that it imposed separately for similar incidents during Russia’s game with the Czech Republic last Friday, the organisation said.

UEFA earlier Wednesday said it had fined the Football Union of Russia 120,000 euros ($150,000, 96,000 pounds) and threatened it with a six point deduction from its next European championship qualifying campaign if there were any repeat.

Russian fans lit and set off fireworks during the 4-1 win against the Czechs in Wroclaw, southwest Poland, while potentially inflammatory “Russian Empire” flags were seen in the stands.

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.

Four volunteer stadium stewards were also beaten up and required hospital treatment.

Both cases will be dealt with on Sunday, UEFA added.