Uefa has warned the English and Russian soccer associations that their teams could be disqualified from Euro 2016 if there is a continuation of the fan violence that has injured several dozen.

The threat from European soccer's governing body came after it began disciplinary proceedings against the Russian federation yesterday following ugly scenes inside Marseille's Stade Velodrome at the end of Saturday's match between England and Russia.

Masked Russian fans charged at England supporters, punching and kicking. England fans had to scramble over barriers to escape.

Uefa said it would also investigate allegations of racist behaviour and the throwing of missiles and fireworks.

The violence followed three days of clashes between English, Russian and French fans in Marseille, drawing a strong response from riot police.

‘Disgusted’

Uefa said it was “disgusted” and would not hesitate to impose sanctions, including “the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again”.

“This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in football,” Uefa said, adding that a decision on sanctions against Russia would be made within days.

There was some minor trouble in Nice on Saturday night involving a small number of Northern Ireland fans ahead of a Group C game between the North and Poland at the Stade de Nice yesterday.

One Northern fan was arrested and five other fans and one Polish supporter were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The PSNI's Supt Nigel Goddard said French troublemakers were responsible for the minor clash that flared in Nice close to the fanzone on Saturday night. – (Reuters)