Warsaw: The Russian Football Union (RFU) should be fined heavily after fans hurled a flare onto the pitch in its 4-1 win over the Czech Republic in Wroclaw Friday, the head of the Polish FA said Monday.

English referee Howard Webb had to stop the match in the 16th minute, just after the Russians had scored, to remove the missile. Grzegorz Lato pointed to a huge fine levied upon the Polish FA for its fans setting off flares in a November 2008 friendly against Ireland at Dublin's Croke Park, and called for consistency from UEFA.

"We had exactly the same incident, after which the Polish FA received a huge fine," Lato said.

"I believe that the same should be done with the Russians," he said.

The incident led to violence after the match in a Municipal Stadium passageway, where Russian fans assaulted stewards they accused of trying to detain an innocent supporter, not the flare thrower, too roughly.

Four stewards received injuries in the brawl, with one requiring hospital attention, Lato said.

The police were searching for the culprits, he said.

"The stewards tried to pressure the Russian fans so that they wouldn't repeat such actions (as flare-throwing). Together with UEFA we already have photographs of the instigators. I hope they will be found soon," he said.

Russia play co-hosts Poland here Tuesday. Russian fans are planning a march through the city before the game. (IANS)