FIFA asks Russia for answers over Emmanuel Frimpong racism case

FIFA has given the Russian Football Union until next Tuesday to provide information on the Emmanuel Frimpong racism case.

Former Arsenal midfielder Frimpong, now with FC Ufa, has been banned for two games after he was sent off for gesturing to Spartak Moscow supporters he says were making monkey noises.

Frimpong is not contesting his suspension but this week said it was "beyond a joke" for the Russian FA to deny there had been any racist chanting.

Some of FIFA's highest-ranking officials, including Sepp Blatter, will be in Russia this weekend as the qualifying draw for the 2018 World Cup is made.

And the organisation's head of sustainability Federico Addiechi confirmed answers are being sought over the Frimpong incident.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

He said: "Immediately after we knew about the case we contacted the Russian FA - that was on July 21.

"We've given them seven days to provide information about the case because we thought it was a prominent case that included possible allegations of discrimination, and because it was happening in the country which is hosting the World Cup."

Frimpong's case is the latest high-profile racism incident to hit Russian football - Manchester City's Champions League game at CSKA Moscow last season was played in an empty stadium, in part because of persistent racist behaviour from CSKA fans.

And while Addiechi reaffirmed a "zero tolerance" attitude to discrimination, he said FIFA did not intend "to educate Russia", rather to ensure the World Cup passes off with as few incidents as possible.

And 2018 organiser Alexei Sorokin told Sky Sports News HQ reports of racism among Russian football fans had been "deliberately blown-up by a lot of media".

He said: "It is an issue...but I maintain it's not a systemic challenge for society. There are more than 100 nationalities in our society that peacefully co-exist."