Vladimir Putin has questioned how just 200 Russians were able to beat up "several thousand" English football fans at Euro 2016.
Dozens of Russian fans were detained by French police after violence broke out between them and English supportersin Marseille.
The Russian President has described the hooligan behaviour as a "disgrace", but has questioned how it happened.
"The fighting between Russian fans with the English, that is a disgrace," he said at the country's annual economic forum in Saint Petersburg on Friday.
"But I truly don't understand how 200 of our fans could beat up several thousand English," he added to laughs and applause from the audience.
"In any case, the treatment by law enforcement should be the same for all violators."
"I hope that there are sober-minded people among them who really love sport and understand that any violation is not supporting their favourite team but damaging to the team and to sport."
On Thursday, a French court sentenced three Russian fans for up to two years in jail. The Russian foreign ministry says a further 20 people will be expelled on Saturday.
Russia has accused French authorities of trying to ignore the "provocative actions" of fans from other countries, including some who trampled on the Russian flag.
Russia has been handed a suspended disqualification from Euro 2016 because of crowd disturbances at the game against England.
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