Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fans racially abuse players
CSKA MOSCOW football fans chanted racist abuse at Arsenal’s black players during a Europa League match this week, a witness said.
A photographer heard supporters on Thursday night make monkey chants at Danny Welbeck and Alex Iwobi.
The chants were also heard when Welbeck celebrated his 75th-minute goal, the photographer said. A third Arsenal player who did not come off the substitute’s bench was targeted with the same chants after the final whistle, the witness said.
Russia faces increased scrutiny over fan behaviour ahead of the World Cup it hosts, starting in June.
Uefa said yesterday that no racist behaviour had been reported to it by match officials at the game.
The football body has opened disciplinary proceedings against CSKA Moscow throwing objects and setting off fireworks. The alleged infractions were not connected to racist or discriminatory behaviour.
It said it took allegations of racist behaviour very seriously and it would be grateful for audio or video evidence of any other incident.
The Russian Football Union declined to comment. Repeated calls to a CSKA spokesperson were unsuccessful and an email to the club was not answered.
Football governing bodies have taken action in response to racist and discriminatory behaviour at Russian football grounds on several occasions.
Fifa said last month it was probing racist abuse directed at French players by Russian fans during a preWorld Cup friendly in Saint Petersburg. – Reuters