Russia to face UEFA disciplinary proceedings

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian Football Union will face UEFA disciplinary proceedings following crowd disturbances and the use of pyrotechnics during and after Russia's 4-1 win over the Czech Republic at Euro 2012, UEFA has said.

Video has emerged appearing to show a crowd of Russian fans punching and kicking stewards in a passageway in the stadium, while there were also reports of racist abuse directed at Czech player Theodor Gebre Selassie, who is black.

The proceedings relate to “crowd disturbances” as well as “the setting off and throwing of fireworks and the display of illicit banners,” UEFA said in a website statement Saturday, June 9.

The leader of Russia's official fan club boasted that Russian supporters gave Euro 2012 stewards "a kicking" in a stadium brawl in comments to R-Sport on Saturday. The incident started as Russian fans left the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw following the game, and reportedly left four Polish stewards requiring hospital treatment, according to RIA Novosti.