KHARKIV, Ukraine -- After talking a good game, let's see if UEFA has the stones to bring down the hammer on some of the tomfoolery on the pitch and in the stands that has tainted Euro 2012 thus far.

Europe's governing soccer body announced Sunday that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against the respective associations of Russia, Germany and Portugal for separate incidents that took place the past three days.

The Russians are in hot water on a number of fronts relating to their 4-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Poland Friday including an incident in which Russian supporters beat and kicked a pair of stadium stewards. In what UEFA is calling "the improper conduct of its supporters," the Russians also also being investigated for having their backers setting off and throwing fireworks, not to mention the display of illicit banners. (Note: Since we can't read Russian, we can't tell you what the signs actually said).

The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will review the case Wednesday.

Meanwhile Germany's 1-0 victory over Portugal in Lviv, Ukraine, on Saturday showed it's seedy underbelly as well, one that has caused UEFA to conduct similar investigations against both associations.

According to UEFA, the German Football Association (DFB) is charged with the throwing of missiles by its supporters, while the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) faces proceedings for a delayed kick-off to the second half. UEFA didn't elaborate on the nature of these so-called "missles" but QMI's Morris Dalla Costa, who attended the match, reported that German fans hurled hundreds of balls of paper onto the pitch.

The Control and Disciplinary Body will deal with those cases Thursday.

With Spain and Italy putting on a magnificent showcase for the sport in their 1-1 draw in Gdansk, Poland, Sunday, it's a shame that a handful of idiots in the stands keep stealing the headlines in this tournament.

mike.zeisberger@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/zeisberger