No matter what comes of ongoing Russians effort at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine, they will be up against it for Euro 2016. Russia already sits six points behind. Probably, anyway.
Citing crowd behavior, violence and “illicit banners,” European soccer’s governing body has already hacked a probationary six points off the Russian total for next round of qualifying.
According to UEFA’s official statement: “The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has today decided to impose a deduction of six points on the Football Union of Russia (RFS) in the qualifying round of the next UEFA European Football Championship.
“This decision is suspended for a probationary period running from now until the end of the play-offs of the next UEFA European Football Championship (UEFA Euro 2016).
“The RFS was facing charges for the improper conduct of its supporters (crowd disturbances), the setting off and throwing of fireworks and the display of illicit banners at last Friday’s Uefa Euro 2012 Group A match against the Czech Republic.
Details of the nastiness and transgressions are here.
The Russian federation was also fined about $150,000.
Here’s the important thing to remember: all the investigated messiness was before Tuesday’s rowdiness; this was all about Friday’s violence and shenanigans, which turned out to be something of a warm-up for Tuesday’s greater efforts at infamy. So, is there more ahead?