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Russia to appeal sanctions over fan trouble

UEFA acted after disturbances at Russia's opening Euro 2012 game against the Czech Republic last Friday where Russian fans set off and threw fireworks and displayed illicit banners at the Group A match in Wroclaw which Dick Advocaat's team won 4-1.

"The Russian football federation is entitled to prepare and submit a written appeal against UEFA's decision and this will be done within the allotted time for this procedure," the federation said in a statement on its website.

"The federation will do all it can to ensure the national team avoids such a severe punishment."

Russian and Polish fans also clashed before the second Group A game in Warsaw on Tuesday, which prompted football's European governing body to open another disciplinary case.

"More than ever the Russian team needs the united support of the best Russian fans in the world and not the bills being run up by hooligans putting their own interests above those of the national team," the statement said.