The Russian Football Union will most likely by fined by UEFA after Russian fans attacked England fans in Marseille, a Russian minister has said. This after one of the worst days of football violence in decades.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said the option of a fine was most likely following clashes between England and Russia fans after the Euro 2016 clash in Marseille, R-Sport news agency reported.

"We will have a fine from [European soccer's governing body] UEFA, so I understand. We behaved incorrectly," Mutko said. Russian officials will also investigate what happened, he added, noting what he said were "many nuances."

Earlier, Mutko claimed there had been "no clash...that's being exaggerated, in fact everything is fine here."

Mutko, who has been accused of complicity in a state doping program by the World Anti-Doping Agency, called the charge "laughable."

"When the match ended, there was no barrier between the fans. The British were upset, of course, but it all quickly dissolved.

"Such matches should be organized properly. It is necessary to separate the fans. The bad thing is that there were firecrackers and flares," Mutko said.

UEFA to investigate the violence

UEFA will now examine how Russia will be punished for the violence of supporters in Marseilles.

The two sets of supporters were involved in clashes with each other, locals and police in the three days before of the match Saturday.

The main focus of the UEFA probe will likely be the violence took erupted at the end of the game after Russia's injury time equalizer in the 1-1 draw at the Stade Velodrome.

Russian fans appeared to attack English supporters sitting in neighboring blocks, forcing many of them to escape.

UEFA gave no further information about the details of the investigation.

Russia was handed a suspended six-point deduction for fireworks thrown and displaying illicit banners in 2012, but deducting World Cup points would be difficult as they are 2018 hosts.

Trainer's regrets

"I can't really comment on what's gone on. But, clearly, that's not good to go hand in hand with football," Russia trainer Leonid Slutsky said.

"What problem did we have in the qualification campaign? What problems did we have? I don't remember that situation with the six points. I think you're mistaken there. I don't think there was a six-point suspended sentence."

UEFA also faces questions about the handling of security at the game over the lack of barriers separating the two supporter groups.

(DW)