Three Russian Fans Jailed In Marseille

 

Three Russian fans have been jailed after being found guilty of taking part in the violent scenes that occurred in Marseille. Alexei Erunov, Nikolai Morozov and Sergei Gorbachev were found guilty of the serious charge of knowingly participating in a group with a view to carrying out deliberate violence against persons. 

Erunov, the director for fans relations at Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow, received a two year jail term.  Gorbachev, the director of a construction company in the central Russian city of Tula, was handed an 18 month sentence, while Morozov received a 12 month term.  All three face a two year ban from France upon their release from prison. 

The sentences were passed on the same day French officials announced 20 more Russian fans would be deported because of what regional prefect Stephane Bouillon earlier called their participation in skirmishes linked to the England v Russia game.

It follows on from six Russian fans being arrested in Lille on Wednesday for their involvement in the violence that occurred before and after last Saturday's match at the Stade Velodrome.  Violence between rival supporters has marred this summer's competition and Russia have been handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 by UEFA for those crowd disturbances in Marseille.