Euro 2016 Organizing Committee President Promises To Address Pitch Issues

Euro 2016 Organizing Committee President Jacques Lambert said that "measures will be taken to address the poor quality of pitches at the tournament," according to ESPN. Playing surfaces used for the competition, "particularly in Lille and Marseille," have come in for criticism from France Manager Didier Deschamps among others. Lambert said that he "regretted the condition of some pitches but declined to clarify what exactly would be done to improve the situation." He said, "The pitches that were good three months ago are good today. Those that were average are still average, and those that are poor have remained that way" (ESPN, 6/21). RTE reported UEFA said it plans to replace the pitch at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille after Wednesday's final Group E match between Italy and the Republic of Ireland. The new pitch "will be transported from the Netherlands and installed by Friday" ahead of a last-16 match on Sunday and a quarterfinal on July 1. UEFA revealed it is "also repairing pitches in Marseille and Saint-Denis, where the showcase Stade de France is located" (RTE, 6/21).

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY: In London, Alex Bywater reported Russia Manager Leonid Slutsky saw his team finish bottom of Group B at Euro 2016 "and promptly admitted he should be replaced as manager" following a 3-0 loss to Wales. Slutsky's resignation offer came after his team "produced a series of poor performances" in France, its "thrashing at the hands of Chris Coleman's side the final straw." Slutsky: "I take responsibility. I had enough time to find players. If we did not succeed it is truly my mistake. Someone else should take over with a big championship to come" (DAILY MAIL, 6/21). REUTERS' Adrian Warner reported Ukraine coach Mykhaylo Fomenko said that he will quit after Tuesday's last group game against Poland at Euro 2016. Ukraine has "no chance of reaching the knockout stages after defeats to Germany and Northern Ireland in Group C" (REUTERS, 6/21).

PAYING THE PRICE: The BBC reported UEFA fined Croatia €100,000 ($113,000) after "crowd trouble" during its 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic on Friday. Referee Mark Clattenburg took the players off in Saint-Etienne when fans in the Croatia end threw flares. The Croatia Football Federation "has also been banned" from selling tickets to fans identified as "hooligans" (BBC, 6/20). In London, Matt Hermann reported UEFA issued a €65,000 ($73,000) fine to the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ). UEFA released a statement explaining that the charges against Hungary had related to "crowd disturbances, setting off of fireworks and throwing of objects." Hungary fans clashed with Stade Velodrome security in Marseille prior to the match "when some of them tried to scale a barrier into another section." Supporters "also lit and threw firecrackers and flares several times over the course of the match" (DAILY MAIL, 6/21).

UNDER ARREST, AGAIN: The AP reported the leader of a Russian fan union with "alleged far-right links" was arrested at Russia’s game with Wales on Monday "and now faces being deported from France for the second time in a week." French Interior Ministry spokesperson Pierre-Henri Brandet said that Alexander Shprygin was detained at the stadium in Toulouse, "three days after he was deported from France after authorities accused him of involvement in hooliganism." Shprygin, who was among 20 Russians deported to Moscow last week, said on Twitter that he had re-entered France by "an unusual route under cover of night," posting pictures of what appeared to be Barcelona airport. He appeared to have then traveled into France "over land" (AP, 6/20). XINHUA reported the Albanian government decided to give €1M ($1.13M) and diplomatic passports to the members of the Albanian team for winning its first match at Euro 2016. The decision was signed by Albanian PM Edi Rama, who had previously promised a diplomatic passport to every player (XINHUA, 6/21).