If there's one thing the fans should keep in mind about their actions, it's that their doings can possibly result in their team getting disqualified. That doesn't sound so good. Russia have been given a 'suspended disqualification' after their supporters decided to go on a freak show after the final whistle against England, setting off fireworks and bombarding the England supporters who were seen fleeing.
Many were physically harmed, punches were thrown and a scramble had begun. This kind of behavior isn't something the Russians should be proud of and further violence would see the team kicked out from the competition.
With Russia facing potential disqualification, let's take a look at five teams that were disqualified from international tournaments.
Chile – 1994 World Cup
Brazil were leading Chile 1-0 in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier and the latter would be knocked out if it stayed that way. Then the unthinkable happened. Around the 67th minute, La Roja goalkeeper Roberto Rojas decided to go down, pretending he was injured from a firecracker thrown by a Brazilian fan named Rosenery Mello do Nascimento.
There was blood and his forehead seemed to be seriously injured. He was carried off the pitch and the Chilean players and staff refused to return to the pitch, stating the playing conditions unsafe. The Brazilians looked on in shock as they were facing elimination and a possible ban.
They didn't know there were looking at what was a desperate and amateurish hoax.
Rojas had used a razor blade hidden in his gloves to inflict injury on his forehead. Video tapes proved it was the case and that the firecracker had landed a meter away from the goalkeeper. FIFA had a decision to make and the match was ruled 2-0 in Brazil's favor.
Chile were banned from the 1994 FIFA World Cup and Roberto Rojas, the man who was the center of attention was handed a lifetime ban, though it was lifted in 2001.
An unwanted act of stupidity had hurt his team and his career was over. They could have tried to overturn the deficit and eliminate Brazil fair and square. Instead, they went for the dramatic, suicidal and brainless way. Justice was served.
Mexico – 1990 World Cup
Although the senior team had nothing to do with the result, Mexico's management needed to take a real look at themselves after the team was disqualified from the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The decision was taken after it was found that some of their players were over the age limit, stated by FIFA, in the qualifiers for the 1989 FIFA World Youth Championship which came to be known as the "Cachirules" scandal.
It was first thought that only the youth team would face the consequences until later when FIFA decided to impose it on all Mexican national sides playing in FIFA tournaments.
The surprising thing is that FIFA had issued a warning earlier that year regarding the age limit and urged the sides not to try and deceive the governing body. That really says a lot about how serious FIFA were on that front.
The youth side secured first place in the group stage, booking their place in the FIFA World Youth Championship, including a 9-0 victory over Guyana. Pretty impressive except for the fact that they were not abiding by the rules. Mexico were brimming with talent and the two-year ban hit them hard.
Syria – World Cup qualifiers
Winning a FIFA World Cup qualifying match is a step towards participating at the grandest of stages. Syria had thrashed Tajikistan 6-1 on aggregate in the second round of knockout phase. Syria marched closer but it was as close as they got.
It was revealed that they had fielded George Mourad in both the legs, who was ineligible, and FIFA wasn't kind. Tajikistan were announced as 3-0 victors for both the legs and they advanced to the next round. One might think incidents like this would go unnoticed but they don't.
All that was left to do for Syria was wonder why they let this happen to themselves. "These decisions are final and binding and not subject to appeal," FIFA stated. On what grounds could Syria have appealed anyway?
They certainly weren't favorites to qualify, they weren't expected to create ripples in the football world but the sport is as unpredictable as it gets.
Cape Verde – World Cup 2014
The FIFA World Cup has witnessed the football cultures of different nations, small and big. There's Russia and then there's Jamaica. But Cape Verde were on course for something special. They could have been the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup but playing someone who hadn't completed a suspension is worthy of an elimination from any competition.
They won by two goals to nil against Tunisia but defender Fernando Varela was ineligible by rules. It's another story that never ceases to surprise, a similar one to that of Syria.
Maybe it gets a bit less surprising when you hear their manager Lúcio Antunes worked as an air traffic controller.
Yugoslavia – Euro 1992
The months leading up to a tournament are often filled with the talks of who would lift the trophy and who should be seen as favorites. Yugoslavia did have the firepower to clinch the 1992 UEFA European Football Championship.
A republic comprising of the modern day Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, talents from various lands came together and were believed to be on the brink of dominance.
A scenario shattered by war and genocide, a prospect which didn't live long. The declaration of independence paved way to a brutal clash between Croats and Serbs which resulted in over 10,000 deaths.
Eleven days prior to the commencement of the European Championship in Sweden, The UN Security Council passed a resolution which limited participation in sporting events and meant that FIFA had to suspend Yugoslavia from competing in the tournament.
They were thrown out without any mistakes of their own. An incident that spoke volumes about how a domestic issue could affect a nation's search for glory in sports.
Denmark replaced Yugoslavia and went onto win the tournament, beating Germany 2-0 in the final. Substitutes ought to do their job, don't they?
