Euro 2012 in Brief: Olsson waits for delivery; 'Racism must be hit hard'; Russian fan fine

Olsson waits for delivery

The Sweden defender Jonas Olsson has left the squad to join his partner in Stockholm as the couple are expecting a baby.

Olsson departed on Saturday evening but was expected to return in time for Sweden's final Group D game against France tomorrow.

The centre-back started in Friday's 3-2 defeat by England. It ended Sweden's hopes of reaching the quarter-finals but they can still affect who else makes the last eight.“

"We didn't want to release a statement as it was a private, family matter, but Jonas is due back [for the France game]," said a Sweden spokesperson.

sweden

'Racism must be hit hard'

Uefa must make an example of Croatia by punishing them heavily for the racism charges levelled at their fans during Euro 2012, the head of Football Against Racism in Europe (Fare) said yesterday.

The governing body has charged Croatia's Football Federation for racist chants and symbols displayed by the national team's supporters during the Group C match against Italy in Poznan on Thursday.

"Whatever the environment we're in, whatever the circumstances of where the tournament is being held, there are some things that are just beyond the pale," the Fare executive director, Piara Powar, said.

Russia earns second fine for fans

Uefa has fined the Russian Football Association €30,000 (£24,000) for "improper conduct" by fans at Tuesday's European Championship match against Poland.

The European football body determined that Russian fans displayed "illicit" nationalist flags and threw fireworks on the pitch. One man ran across the pitch carrying a Russia flag.

The punishment adds to Russia's €120,000 fine imposed after fans attacked stadium staff in Wroclaw at their first match against the Czech Republic.