Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 8y

Wayne Rooney, Roy Hodgson urge England fans to 'stay out of trouble'

England manager Roy Hodgson and captain Wayne Rooney have appealed directly to fans to "stay out of trouble" following UEFA's threat to expel the team from Euro 2016.

On Monday, the Football Association (FA) said it was taking UEFA's warning that England, along with Russia, could be expelled from Euro 2016 in the event of further fan violence "extremely seriously."

On Sunday, the executive committee of European football's governing body warned the FA and the Russian Football Union (RFS) that "it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions."

In a statement, it said these could include "the potential disqualification of their respective teams" from the tournament in France.

And as they prepare for England's next game against Wales in Lens on Thursday, Hodgson and Rooney recorded video messages to appeal for calm.

Hodgson said: "I am very concerned at the threat now hanging over us. We have worked very hard to get here, and we desperately want to stay.

"We appreciate all your support at the matches, of course, but I am appealing to you to stay out of trouble and to try to make certain these threats being issued are never carried out and we will be able to attempt to do the best we can to stay in this competition by football means."

Rooney urged fans who do not have tickets not to travel to matches.

The Manchester United striker said: "I'd like to thank the England fans for the great support inside the stadium against Russia.

"Now, as we have a big game coming up against Wales, I'd like to ask the fans that, if they don't have a ticket, please don't travel.

"For the fans with tickets: be safe, be sensible and continue with your great support for the players."

Marseille prosecutor Brice Robin has said 150 specially-trained Russian hooligans were behind much of the violence that broke out in the city ahead of the England vs. Russia game on Saturday.

Robin told a news conference that "extremely well trained" people were behind three days of clashes, which have left around 35 people injured.

A large group of Russian fans in the stands at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille advanced on the neighbouring England section at full-time of the 1-1 draw between the sides on Saturday night, throwing objects and breaking through a line of stewards as England fans fled for the exits.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said misbehaviour by England supporters in the centre of Marseille before the game had been "embarrassing."

But he stressed that the attacks inside the stadium had been carried out by what he described as "organised Russian gangs."

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