A FIFA panel has banned former Russian football official Alexander Shprygin from taking part in any football-related activities for two years after its independent Ethics Committee said he had breached its code.

Shprygin, a former member of the Executive Committee of the Football Union of Russia, broke rules on discrimination in media statements and social media posts published in 2014 and 2015, FIFA said Friday.

He was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (10,100 U.S. dollars).

Shprygin told Reuters he was aware of the ban against him but had yet to receive an official notification from FIFA.

"It came as a surprise to me," he said.

Shprygin became notorious at the 2016 European Championship in France, and was deported twice after Russia games.

French authorities linked Shprygin to violence in Marseille where Russians attacked England fans in the city and at the stadium. He denied any wrongdoing.

Two board members from his All-Russian Fans' Union received prison sentences for their roles in the disorder.

Shprygin returned from Moscow within days and evaded authorities by entering France to visit Toulouse for Russia's next game against Wales.

Soon after the tournament, Russian football authorities cut ties with Shprygin and his group, which now appears to be inactive.

Shprygin, who was briefly detained by police in a hotel bathroom during a Russian Football Union conference, said he was barred from attending World Cup games last year in host Russia.

Last year Shprygin was denied a World Cup fan ID, a document that proved its holder had been vetted and approved by security officials to attend World Cup matches.

(With input from AP and Reuters)