RUSSIA-EURO2012-FANS
Moscow, June 14 (Sport-Express/Interfax) – The All-Russian Association of Fans has published an address to the fans of the Russian national football team at the UEFA Euro 2012 in Poland, urging them not to break the law during the tournament.
“UEFA made an unprecedented and tough decision yesterday by fining the Russian Football Union 120,000 Euros and imposing a suspended deduction of six points on our team in the qualifiers for the 2016 European championship. This was caused by offences by Russian fans during the Russian team matches at the Euro 2012,” the address says.
“The army of Russian fans at the Euro 2012 is among the largest, numbering in total more than 10,000 people. And 99% of them are behaving in a peaceful and friendly way and not breaking the rules of conduct and the law. But inappropriate behavior of a bunch of people can question the national team’s participation in the next continental tournament,” the association said.
“We want to address each person who comes to the Russian stand. Any of your unlawful and provocative steps at this European championship may lead to a catastrophe. This could be a catastrophe not only for the national team, but also for you personally, because there is no doubt that anyone who breaks the law will be detected, as happened following the match with the Czech Republic,” it said.
“If your guilt is proven, you may face not only a huge fine but also lose the chance to be related to your favorite game for years by being declared a persona non grata both at football matches and on the entire European Union territory,” it said.
“Don’t break your fates, don’t break the fate of the national team and millions of its supporters. Support it in a decent way,” the address says.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body fined the Russian Football Union 120,000 euro for inappropriate behavior of Russian fans at the Euro 2012 Group A match between Russia and the Czech Republic in Wroclaw on June 8, which Russia won 4-1. UEFA later opened disciplinary proceedings against the Polish Football Federation and the Russian Football Union, related to behavior of fans prior to and following the second group stage match between Poland and Russia in Warsaw on June 12.
[RU EUROPE EEU EMRG SPO PL POL PRO]
19:24:28 EET-2
