Russia's preparations for their second Euro
2016 Group B game against Slovakia in Lille
on Wednesday have been overshadowed by
UEFA's threat to kick Leonid Slutsky's team
out of the competition.
UEFA on Tuesday fined the Russian Football
Union and said the country would be sent
home from France if there is a repeat of the
crowd disturbances that marred their
opening 1-1 draw with England in Marseille
at the weekend.
There were also ugly scenes of violence on
the streets of the southern city and
authorities in Lille, at the other end of
France, are hoping there is no repeat ahead
of the Slovakia game - although videos have
emerged which suggest violence has already
begun on the streets of the northern city.
Those fears are increased as many England
fans will be gathering in Lille ahead of their
team's match against Wales in nearby Lens
on Thursday.
In addition, some 43 Russian fans were
arrested on Tuesday morning and are set to
be deported after allegedly being part of the
violence in Marseille.
But the Russian team are hoping they are
allowed to compete.
"We don't want to be disqualified from the
Euros because of this," said Russian striker
Artem Dzyuba. "Our supporters have to focus
on just supporting us and we will try to show
our best qualities.
"We want to play this competition. We are
happy to be here and it will be a big
disappointment if we go out," added the
powerful Zenit St Petersburg striker.
Meanwhile, coach Slutsky expressed
confidence that his team would not be sent
home early for off-field reasons and
indicated that it would be unfair if UEFA
were to follow through with their threat.
"We are sure that we are not going to be
kicked out. There is not going to be any
injustice," said the coach.
"We are sure that our supporters will not
behave in the same way again and will not
give any reasons to disqualify our team."
In contrast, Slovakia's opening 2-1 defeat to
Wales in Bordeaux was played in a far
friendlier atmosphere and coach Jan Kozak is
hoping for a similar occasion at the Stade
Pierre Mauroy, where the retractable roof is
set to be closed at kick-off.
"If there are things I can't control then I
don't think too much about them but it's a
pity because it's a great competition," he said
of the crowd trouble.
"I am enjoying it immensely. There is a great
atmosphere in the stadiums - in Bordeaux it
was an experience that I will always
remember.
"The Russian players and coach would not
deserve anything bad because it should be all
about the football here."
Hit by injuries to key players before the
tournament, Russia needed a stoppage-time
goal by captain Vasili Berezutski to rescue a
point against Group B favourites England.
A victory against Slovakia would therefore
all but secure progress to the last 16 while
also piling pressure on Roy Hodgson's men in
particular.
Having seen key midfield duo Igor Denisov
and Alan Dzagoev withdraw from their
squad before the England game, their only
remaining injury concern surrounds back-up
goalkeeper Yuri Lodygin, who has not
trained.
Meanwhile midfielder Denis Glushakov, who
was used from the bench against England,
could come into the Russian starting line-up.
"I am pretty sure that we are not going to be
overestimating ourselves," added Slutsky.
"We are not actually favourites in any game.
England are the best team in the group.
Against the other teams we just have to
perform as we did against England."
For Slovakia there is even greater urgency in
their search for a first European
Championship finals win after their defeat to
Gareth Bale and co.
Kozak will want more from his star creator,
Napoli's Marek Hamsik, and has admitted
that changes to his line-up are a certainty
with a full squad to choose from.
That means Ondrej Duda of Legia Warsaw,
who came off the bench to score against
Wales, could be promoted to the starting
side.
"Of course I already know my starting XI, all
the players are fit and ready to play. I think
the match calls for certain changes in the
line-up,



www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/06/14/euro-2016-violence-latest-with-uefa-set-to-reveal-russia-punishm2/