UEFA Awards Russia With Technical Victory Over Montenegro in Euro Qualifier

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UEFA Euro-2016 qualifying match between Montenegro and Russia on March 27 was abandoned following crowd disturbances at the Gradski Stadion in Podgorica.

Montenegro’s Football Association said on Wednesday that it would not appeal UEFA’s decision.

In the first half of the game, Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev was struck by a flare thrown from the crowd. He was subsequently carried off the field on a stretcher and the match was suspended for the first time.

The game was terminated on the 67th minute following further disturbances.

Akinfeev was treated in a hospital in Pongorica for a neck injury, brain concussion and light burns.

In March, UEFA President Michel Platini urged European police to help curb stadium violence that has recently become a burning issue in the world football.

The prestigious UEFA European Championship-2016 is scheduled to take place in France on June 10-July 10, 2016.

The final tournament will be contested by 24 teams. In order to get to the final stage, the teams first have to pass through a qualifying round, which consists of eight groups of six teams and one group of five teams. Only 23 teams out of 53 will join France, the host country, in the final tournament.

After three points were awarded to Russia, the team now remains in third place in group G, only one point short of Sweden. The group’s leader is Austria.