Teenage footballer’s dream torpedoed

Last week, it seemed like Erving Botaka-Yobama had gotten his big break.

The 19-year-old footballer was signed on July 14 by Torpedo Moscow, a club that plays in Russia’s third division. But just six days later, his contract was terminated – and critics say it’s because BotakaYobama is black.

Though Botaka-Yobama was born and raised in Russia, his parents are Congolese. His signing was met with a torrent of hate from some of Torpedo’s hardcore fans.

‘‘There may be black in our team’s colours, but there is only white in our supporters ranks,’’ wrote a group called the Zapad-5 Ultras on VK, Russia’s equivalent of Facebook, according to the Moscow Times.

Another social media post threatened the player, according to British tabloid the Sun: ‘‘Since you consider it acceptable to come into our home and our family without regard for our rules and traditions, we reserve that same right . ... We will see who comes out on top.’’

By Friday, Botaka-Yobama’s contract had been cancelled. In a statement, Torpedo’s owner claimed that the reversal happened because Botaka-Yobama’s current team requested a transfer fee.

‘‘There is no ‘skin colour’ in our criteria,’’ Roman Avdeyev, the owner, said to Sportfm.ru, according to the Moscow Times. ‘‘We’ve never noticed it and will never notice it.’’

Russia’s football players’ union condemned the fans’ antics.