PARIS: European federation UEFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Russia – but not England – after “totally unacceptable” scenes at Saturday’s 1-1 draw in Marseille.

Footage appeared to show Russia fans rush at England supporters after the Euro 2016 tie.

Charges against Russia are for crowd disturbances, racist behaviour, and setting off fireworks. UEFA also said security would be “strengthened”.

Both federations have been warned that they could face disqualification from the tournament if such scenes were repeated.

Witnesses said trouble began in the stadium after flares were let off by Russian fans near the end of the game. Some then climbed across barriers designed to keep rival fans apart.

A number of Russia supporters appeared to kick and punch fleeing England fans, who were forced to clamber over fencing to escape.

Earlier in the day, England, Russia and local fans were embroiled in ugly clashes with riot police, with a number of bloodied fans being taken to hospital.

European football’s governing body said it would not hesitate to punish Russia or England should such violence occur again. Possible measures included the potential disqualification of their respective teams.

Many fans, including families with children, tried to escape the trouble by frantically climbing over the perimeter fence

Earlier Russia’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko said UEFA had “done the right thing” to start a disciplinary case against the Russian Football Union, R-Sport news agency reported.

Alcohol restrictions

Mutko said: “There were flares, there was a flare gun, there had been clashes in the stands, it’s necessary to sort all of this out. There are people who do not come for the football.”

Also on Sunday, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said alcohol restrictions near “sensitive” venues would be extended, with sales bans on match days and the eve of match days.

England spectators who were at the match have described a “desperate scramble” to escape charging Russia fans, some of who were wearing gum shields and mixed martial arts gloves, one witness claimed.

Six British nationals remain in hospital and several more have received treatment, the UK government said.

Martin Glenn, FA chief executive, described the violence as “shocking”, adding: “I’ve not seen scenes like that in a football stadium for decades.”

He said: “We were worried because we knew for a while that England fans had been able to get tickets from the Russian website, but the segregation in the ground clearly wasn’t strong enough to stop the terrible scenes that we witnessed.

“So it was very upsetting, it must have been really, scary for the people involved.”

Russia’s next match, against Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday, takes place 24 hours ahead of England’s match against Wales just 24 miles away in Lens.

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