FIFA will not take disciplinary action against Russia following reports that supporters of Russia's national team displayed far-right symbols during the squad's opening match of the World Cup.
Banners featuring a Celtic cross — a symbol associated with the international neo-Nazi movement — were put on display by fans at during the squad's game against South Korea on June 17, according to Football Against Racism in Europe, or FARE, a network that monitors discrimination cases in the sport.
Having examined FARE's report, FIFA did not find sufficient evidence to warrant further action against the Russian Football Federation, FIFA announced Saturday.
FIFA further announced that it would not pursue action against Croatia, whose fans were also accused by FARE of having engaged in racist behavior at the World Cup.
Racism and displays of far-right allegiances have plagued Russian football in recent years.
At the 2012 European Championship, the Russian team received a six-point suspended penalty for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign after its fans displayed offensive banners and chanted racist slogans.
In February, the UEFA ordered CSKA Moscow to play its next European fixture behind closed doors after its fans displayed racist and far-right symbols at a game last December.
The union also imposed a partial stadium closure on the club for a Champions League game last year after its supporters directed racist chants toward Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure.
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