AUTHORITIES IN MOSCOW have charged members of the punk protest group Pussy Riot with “violation of spectators’ rights” and illegally wearing police symbols when they ran onto the field during the World Cup final.

The Interfax news agency reported late last night that the four could face penalties of up to 11,500 rubles (€175) or 160 hours of community service.

Three men and a woman dressed in police uniforms interrupted the title match between France and Croatia early in the second half at Moscow’s 81,000-seat Luzhniki Stadium. The interruption was seen by Russian President Vladimir Putin from his VIP box and by international broadcast audiences watching one of the world’s most viewed sporting events.

Pussy Riot issued statements on social media calling for the curtailing of policing powers and other reforms in Russia. The group has antagonized Putin for years and members have served time in prison for staging various high-profile protests.

One made it to the centre circle.

They were quickly tackled by security, and the match resumed after a delay of about one minute.

The balaclava-clad women of Pussy Riot, a Russian punk rock group, rose to global prominence with their daring outdoor performances criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2012.

Their protests resulted in two members being sent to prison for nearly two years.

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