Russian lawmakers vote to double fines for sports disturbances

Russian supporters attack an England fan at the end of the Euro 2016 Group B soccer match between England and Russia, at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, France. (Thanassis Stavrakis/AP)

MOSCOW — Russian lawmakers have voted to double fines for some repeat troublemakers at sports events, a year before the country hosts the World Cup.

The lower house of parliament voted Wednesday to raise the penalties to between 40,000 and 50,000 rubles ($690 and $860) for fans who breach bans on attending sports events. They can also be detained for up to 15 days instead of a fine.

Under existing law, fans causing trouble at sports events can be banned from sports events in Russia for up to seven years.

Russian fans clashed with English supporters on the streets and inside the stadium during last year’s European Championship in France, with three Russian supporters given prison sentences in France.

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