England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have appealed to fans to behave around Thursday’s Group B game against Wales after European soccer chiefs threatened to throw the country out of Euro 2016 following three days of violence in Marseille.
In a video posted on the Football Association’s Twitter page, Hodgson and Rooney expressed their concern that further flashpoints could lead to an early end to their tournament.
“As the England manager, I am obviously now very concerned about the threat that is hanging over us and the sanction that could possibly be imposed upon the England team,” Hodgson said.
“We worked very hard to get here and we want to stay in the competition.”
The first weekend of the tournament was overshadowed by violence in Marseille where English and Russian fans were involved in serious disorder, leading to tear gas and water cannons being deployed by French riot police.
European governing body UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against the Russian federation after some of their fans appeared to charge at England’s fans in the Stade Velodrome near the end of the Group B clash that ended 1-1.
UEFA have warned English and Russian officials that their teams will be sent home if the trouble continues.
But there are fears that England and Russia fans could start fresh trouble this week. Russia play Slovakia in Lille on Wednesday, while England face Wales just 40km away in Lens on Thursday.
“I’m appealing, therefore, to all of our fans, and we appreciated your support at the matches, of course, but I’m appealing to you to stay out of trouble to try and make certain these threats are never carried out and we will be able to do the best we can to stay in the competition,” Hodgson said.
Rooney pleaded with fans to stay away from Thursday’s match against Wales unless they have tickets.
“I’d like to ask the fans: ‘Please, if you don’t have a ticket, don’t travel. And for fans with tickets: ‘Be safe, be sensible and continue with your great support for the players.’”
Welsh fans were praised for their behaviour before, during and after their 2-1 victory over Slovakia in Bordeaux on Saturday but their match against England is another potential flashpoint.
“The aggression starts on the pitch and must remain on the pitch,” Wales coach Chris Coleman said on Monday. “Off the pitch there should be no aggression. Unfortunately there is a mindless minority.
“What we want from our fans is to support us in the perfect way like they did in Bordeaux.”
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Dan, you are on a Roar football tab, reporting about the European Football Championships and reporting on what the European Football Association is planning to do, yet you refer to it as "soccer" and call them "soccer chiefs" like they are some renegade tribe. Not trying to be picky or anything but we like to see some consistency in journalism. By the way, the sport is actually called football. We're not just making it up.
BigAl
Guest
My guess is that Putin, wanting to impress the world will make sure these guys are kept well under control - and any hooligan from any countryhad better think twice before they plan to carry on like this in Russia.
Fadida
Guest
Rule Britannia
Fadida
Guest
I'm not saying they were the instigators , although they clearly were participants. Hooliganism is synonymous with England for most non football fans in particular. The reporting of this confirms that, and revisits incidents of years gone by
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
So suspended disqualification (only if trouble occurs inside the stadium) and a paltry fine, well done UEFA that will really teach them wont it.
DaSpoon
Guest
The French are incapable of organising.security for an event like this. Plus they are anti British. Their so called fans throw urine and punches at our cyclists in the TDF plus tear gassing our women and children at the euros - it's a disgrace. Contrast this with the 2012 olympics Wimbledon British open etc where their fans and athletes are treated with respect.The sooner we leave Europe the better.
Josh
Guest
It wasn't the English this time. Each country has its own minority who want the rest of the footballing world's minorities to sit up and take notice of them. This time it's Russia and to a smaller extent Polish and Turkish fans.
AR
Guest
How's WC2018 looking? Pretty scary I'd say.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Second Euros in a row they've caused absolute havoc. UEFA and FIFA need to come down hard but they will do nothing.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
My wife and i were heavily considering going as our son will be 6 and would be an amazing family experience for him but these Russian ultras are absolutely mental i'm not sure i could take the risk and might just go with mates. Normally i wouldnt be concerned as Australians arent exactly top priority for these mobs for a tear up but these Russians don't seem to care who they attack, they charged women and children in the Marseille stadium. The ferocity was something i haven't seen it is a miracle no-one was killed in those attacks before the game in the port.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Never one to believe or fall for media hype but this actually looks pretty nasty. Seriously appalling behaviour. Already had some reservations about going to Russia 2018 but this is pushing me to the edge.
Lionheart
Guest
No time for hooligans, but from what I've read the Russian fans are in a class all of their own
Fadida
Guest
Sadly football and English hooligans will once again be intertwined in the minds of the Aistralian public.