Russia probes monkey chants ahead of WC

MOSCOW: Russian football chiefs said on Thursday they will probe apparent monkey chants directed at Cape Verdean midfielder Nuno Rocha during a domestic cup semi-final this week.

The incident comes less than two months before Russia hosts the World Cup and is sure to fuel fears of racism marring the tournament. Wednesday’s game in Moscow culminated with a penalty shootout between hosts Spartak and the small Russian Premier League side Tosno. Rocha scored the winning spot-kick for Tosno before running past Spartak supporters while celebrating the upset. Footage of the episode posted on the Championat.ru sports site showed the 26-year-old cupping his hand to his ear as what sounded like a chorus of ape noises rang down from the crowd.

The Russian Football Union’s (RFU) anti-discrimination department chief Alexei Smertin said the chants came from Spartak fans. “We are currently studying game material, including the chanting that was heard from the Spartak supporters’ stand after Nuno Rocha’s penalty,” he told Russian media. Football officials are expected to issue their ruling during a disciplinary committee meeting next week. The investigation comes with concern about racial abuse in Russia already running high after a spate of recent incidents.

The world football governing body FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia over monkey chants heard at a World Cup warmup against France last month. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele were allegedly targeted during the match in Saint Petersburg. Racism has been plaguing Russian football since clubs began purchasing foreign players after the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.