Russian football union condemns violence
Moscow, June 14 (IANS) The Russian football union condemned the violent clashes in the French port city Marseille when England and Russia met in a UEFA Euro 2016 match.
“The Russian Football Union resolutely condemns the actions of Russian football fans and their participation in brawls and illegal activities in the city and during the match (Saturday),” Xinhua reported from an official statement of the union.
“We urge (Russian football fans) to show respect to the rival team and its fans as well as to local residents,” it added, stressing that the laws, rules of conduct and public order in France should not be breached.
Noting that the matches were under the monitor of international football disciplinary bodies, the union warned that any misbehavior could lead to sanctions against the Russian football team.
“We call on you to refrain from the use of pyrotechnical devices, laser pointers and other prohibited gadgets at stadiums to spare the team various disciplinary sanctions,” it said.
The UEFA has opened separate disciplinary proceedings following the UEFA EURO 2016 group stage matches between England and Russia, Albania and Switzerland, Turkey and Croatia.
The Russian fans were accused by the UEFA of crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks and throwing missiles.
The UEFA Executive Committee on Sunday warned both football associations of England and Russia that “it will not hesitate to impose additional sanctions (on them), including the potential disqualification of their respective teams from the tournament, should such violence occur again”.
Cuba’s Hemingway billfishing tourney draws 10 nations
Havana, June 14 (IANS) Fishing enthusiasts from 10 countries and regions converged on Cuba for the opening of the 66th Ernest Hemingway international billfishing tournament here.
This year’s competition was set “to be the most attended edition” ever, the organiser of the event, Commodore Jose Miguel Diaz Escrich, told Cuban news agency Prensa Latina (PL) on Monday.
Diaz, who heads the Hemingway Yacht Club at Havana’s Hemingway Marina, said some 80 boats were competing, mostly from the United States but also from Italy, France, Spain and other countries and regions, reports Xinhua.
Restored diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US have encouraged more American teams to participate in the event.
Americans first took part in the tournament in 2015 after an absence of 35 years following the two governments’ decision to normalise ties.
The competition “is one of the oldest tournaments of its kind and was founded by the American writer, who lived more than 20 years in Cuba,” the agency added.
Competitors use the so-called “tag and release” method approved by the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) to which Cuba belongs, to protect the species and ecosystem.