April 17 – They can protest all they like about being unfairly singled out, but FIFA has charged World Cup hosts Russia with fan racism less than two months before the tournament begins.
Monkey chants were aimed at French players, including Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, during France’s 3-1 friendly win over the Russians in St. Petersburg last month and after collecting evidence, FIFA says “disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Russian Football Union for this incident.”
The move will prove highly embarrassing for World Cup organisers who have been at pains to stress that racism is no worse in their country than elsewhere in football and only occasionally rears its ugly head.
Yet the fact is that Russia was previously charged with racist behaviour by its fans at the last two European Championships and this is the third racism case this season at St. Petersburg Stadium, which will host a World Cup semi-final match. Zenit St. Petersburg has twice faced UEFA charges for racism by its fans in Europa League games.
Alexei Smertin, the Russian Football Union’s anti-discrimination inspector, says Fifa has been in touch about the launch of the latest investigation and that the RFU “ is ready to take an active part in it and is already conducting an internal investigation.”
It appears the message is finally being heeded with Smertin telling a news conference on Monday that the perpetrators of racist abuse should be punished. “They should not be at football stadiums,” he said.
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