England fans

UEFA has given the Russian Team a Suspended Disqualification for Euro 2016 and fined them 150.000 euros after violent disorder of it's fans.

I find it rather sad Brexit has reared it's head again outside of the politics thread.

I'm glad to hear UEFA has done something, but I wonder why the French police didn't manage to arrest a single Russian.

Do you seriously believe that this nasty incident is only about football? It is about whipping up xenophobia and providing ammunition for the worst elements of the British press -of course it helps the Brexit brigade.

Yes the English yobs introduced their xenophobic chant. So what part of their behaviour do we ignore pogs?

BREAKING: Russia handed suspended disqualification over Euro 2016 violence against England

RUSSIA has been handed a suspended disqualification over fan violence at Euro 2016 matches which will be implemented if any further disturbances happen.

You don't say!

Is this Gransnet or Reuters?

Eer... no practical. The Russian Football Association is threatened with expulsion if they repeat the scenes of the violence in the stadiums. This would not seem to cover what fans get up to pre, and post match in the bars and cafes.
The French police were lax in allowing Russian fans into the Marseilles match with flares etc , but before the British media hangs them out to dry, in mitigation they have got a hell of a lot on their plate. The terrorism threat has been sky high here after the Paris attacks and they are no better or worse than their UK colleagues. They are all far from perfect, a worrying thought.

varian The timing of the referendum was down to David Cameron so if this is a conspiracy by the Leave campaign how did they manage that?

You are right, sunseeker, when you say Cameron is responsible for the timing - and indeed for the whole unnecessary charade. The same thing happened two years ago when he allowed the Scottish referendum to happen at a time which actually favoured the separatists (Commonwealth Games, Bannockburn anniversary etc) and he didn't learn the lesson.

I don't know whether there is any conspiracy but I do know that this football fiasco is a gift to the Brexiteers (including Mr Putin)

Except in the Scottish referendum the separatists lost.

I am glad they did, but a one time not long before the vote the opinion polls gave them the sort of lead that the Leave campaign seem to have now. Let's hope that the pollsters are also wrong now.

I have also lived in France for the past 15 years, and prior to that in the Balearic islands .....only one two occasions have I come across any anti British feeling ...but I do agree that the gratuitous violence in the name of a 'game' needs drastic measures ..the French police have water cannon ...so why didn't they use them ? It would indeed seem to be easier for them to blame the England fans as they are an easier target than the Russian ones ! .....who they cannot seem to identify or catch ! There were articles in the local French papers showing photos of 'fans' wearing England shirts ...but they could have been Russians ?! ....who knew ? the reports did say that it was 'believed' some may be Russians ......but English were imprisoned !

I used to go (somewhat unwillingly !) to football matches every Saturday afternoon with my dad in the 50's .....there was no hint of violence ....unless you include my dad telling me not to shout for Ipswich, but whicever team they were playing against (he was a Liverpool fan !) .....so why has so much violence erupted nowadays ? All I know is I am keeping well away from any venue where any sport is being played .....can't even escape it on tv ...time to buy a box set or two !

Whitewave to POGS 13.11

"So what part of their behaviour do we ignore POGS?

Your question was set in a tone and manner looking for an argument to pursue and I will therefore give my response in the form of a feferal to my post of Monday 10.46, I do not ignore any part of their behaviour.

You appear a tad sensitive pogs argument is never something in which I partake. Strong debate undoubtedly.

@Violette

A number of Russian fans have been deported.