Zenit St Petersburg supporters call on club to start fielding all-white, non-gay team
MOSCOW – Fans of two-time defending Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg are calling for non-white players to be excluded from the team.
Landscrona, the largest Zenit supporters club, released a manifesto Monday demanding the club field an all-white, heterosexual team. It added that “dark-skinned players are all but forced down Zenit’s throat now, which only brings out a negative reaction.”
The club told the R-Sport news agency it supported tolerance and picked players on athletic ability alone.
Zenit were the only top-flight Russian team never to have signed a black player until this summer, when it acquired Brazilian striker Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel for 80 million euros ($105 million). French midfielder Yann M’Vila declined a move in August after receiving death threats.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
