An England Ban Will Bring Tottenham’s Players Home

Five of Tottenham Hotspur’s players are a part of Roy Hodgson’s England squad. However, should the Three Lions be banned from Euro 2016 along with Russia, some Spurs players could enjoy more rest and no injuries at the expense of missing out on a major tournament.

Tottenham have the second-most players playing in this year’s European Championship with 11 split across five different national teams: Austria, Belgium, France, England and Wales. With a third place finish and getting little rotation in the Premier League as Mauricio Pochettino’s side were contending for a league title, it would be good to see all of them come home without any injuries and get adequate rest ahead of another long season.

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With five of Tottenham’s players on England’s squad, the Three Lions could possibly return earlier than expected should UEFA impose a harsh punishment that will see the governing body of European football ban both England and Russia because of three straight days involving fan violence between both sides.

While the Russian fans were the worst prior to both team’s opening match, during and after, English supporters were a part of the problem too which is why England could also be banned.

It’s less of a “they [Russian fans] started it, so we [English fans] are fighting back because of self-defense”. For all UEFA knows, they’re watching violent fan behavior that occurred for three days. At that point, it doesn’t matter what was said to instigate a situation like this, but it needs to be put out.

Per The Guardian, UEFA seems to be more disgusted with the Russian supporters more so than the English fans. Though both sides will still be punished in the end.

"“UEFA expresses its utter disgust for the violent clashes that occurred in the city centre of Marseille, and its serious concern for the incidents at the end of the match inside Stade Vélodrome,” Europe’s governing body said in a statement.“This kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place in football.”"

Owen Gibson the writer of the linked Guardian article above, currently based in Paris for the European Championships, had this to say about Russia on Saturday and goes into more detail from Euro 2012 when Russian fans were also mired in violent behavior four years ago.

There’s some mention of England fans who also took part in fan violence, but on a smaller scale. Still it’s not like England won’t be dealt with, they will, but Russia has to be sorted out first.

"“Russian fans broke through lax security inside the stadium at the end of the match to attack England fans, including families, who were fleeing for the exit. Earlier in the day, around 200 Russians had attacked England supporters in the old port area of the city, causing serious injuries.”More from Hotspur HQStorybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s RicharlisonTottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivatedTottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield UnitedTottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield UnitedTottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help“Before that there had been three days of running battles between combative England fans, locals and the police, who regularly employed tear gas. UEFA has consistently maintained that it can sanction its members only for events that take place inside the stadium.”“The charges against Russia included fireworks being let off inside the stadium and racist behaviour, thought to be the display of a flag with the Celtic cross – a symbol which has been adopted by neo-Nazi and fascist groups.”“UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body will meet on Tuesday to decide on sanctions against Russia before their next game against Slovakia in Lille the following day.”"

As mentioned earlier, Russia isn’t immune to fan violence during a major tournament. Euro 2012 saw Russian fans do some despicable things then that have returned four years later. Again, here’s Owen Gibson on the incident that happened.

"“Previous incidents of disorder involving the next World Cup hosts are likely to count against Russia, with the game on Saturday the first to be organised by UEFA since the lifting of probationary sanctions that were threatened after violent disorder by its fans in Poland four years ago.”“Among the incidents at Euro 2012, stadium security staff in Wrocław, Poland, were assaulted by Russian fans during their team’s opening 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic.”“The Russian authorities were fined €30,000 after fans racially insulted the Czech Republic defender Theodor Gebre Selassie.”“In a separate Euro 2012 incident, UEFA charged and fined Russia for a fan carrying a national flag across the field after a 1-1 draw against Poland. That heavily policed match in Warsaw was played on 12 June, Russia’s national holiday, after fights in the city as rival fans went to the stadium.”"

Based on what UEFA did to Russia in Euro 2012, they could do the same again this year but impose a much harsher punishment. Hence, banning them outright from Euro 2016. That alone is justifiable as the fans would have no reason to be there, since their national team is no longer playing in the tournament.

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Because of what transpired on Saturday between England and Russia fans, UEFA have promised to beef up their security for the rest of the tournament.

That alone won’t stop any new incident that could occur besides English and Russian supporters, because these types of things have unfortunately become considered “normal” in football matches. Hooliganism has somewhat manifested itself into some sort of culture.

At the very least, UEFA acknowledges that this stuff can’t continue so they’ve taken the first steps to insure nothing happens again. Whether it works remains to be seen.