Spartak Moscow handed partial stadium ban over fans' racist chants
Wednesday 25 April 2018 21:50, UK
Russia's defending champions Spartak Moscow have received a partial stadium ban for racist chants directed at Cape Verdean midfielder Nuno Rocha.
The football federation also fined Zenit Saint Petersburg £1,150 (1,300 euros) for Nazi slogans heard during a league match with Anzhi.
The two penalties deliver a further blow to Russia's international football reputation less than two months before the country hosts its first World Cup, but Russian football's anti-racism inspector Alexei Smertin believes his country are being unfairly singled out.
"I cannot say that (racist incidents) happen more often in Russia than in other countries," he told the RIA Novosti state news agency.
"We cannot fail to take the political situation into account. There is certain bias (against Russia) in this respect."
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Fears of racism and hooliganism marring one of sport's most celebrated competitions have been a constant discussion point throughout Russia's preparations.
