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Racism Still A Major Problem In Next World Cup Host Nation Russia

Racism Still A Major Problem In Next World Cup Host Nation Russia

Written By Sarah Rainsford | At BBC News

The noise was hard to distinguish at first, mixed in with the fans’ cheers and singing. But once spotted it was unmistakable: every time a black player from either side got the ball, a section of supporters behind each goal broke into monkey chants.

At one point a laughing fan performed an ape dance to match his grunting. This was a football match in Russia, the next host of the World Cup. Officials here play down suggestions that racism is a serious problem in the Russian game and say they are working to kick it out for good.

But those scenes at the match between CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg, two of Russia’s biggest clubs, suggest that their efforts so far have had limited impact.

‘Completely unacceptable’

They followed soon after CSKA had been forced to play to two matches to empty stadiums, punished by Uefa for fan violence and racist conduct at a game in Rome.

“There is always something like this, coming from our opponents’ fans,” Zenit’s Brazilian striker, Hulk, complained after the match in Moscow. He ascribed the abuse to “ignorance and a lack of culture”.

“If something like this happens during the World Cup, it will be a big problem,” Hulk added.

Hulk was the first black player Zenit had ever signed. His arrival in Russia’s second city in 2012 sparked protests by fans who described the lack of black players until then as an “important tradition” and an issue of “identity”.

Last year, an official from football’s governing body Fifa described the level of racism in the Russian game as “completely unacceptable” for a World Cup host country.

Piara Power, of Fifa’s Anti-Discrimination Task Force, called on President Vladimir Putin to send a message that such attitudes would no longer be tolerated.

Read More At BBC News