Russia battles racism in football
Russia considers banning bananas at games as they have become symbols of increasing racism on the football pitch.
Published On 27 Aug 2011
Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o has become one of the world’s highest-paid footballers and the biggest-ever signing to a Russian club.
But Eto’o may face challenges on the pitch, as Russian football is plagued by racism.
Many Russian clubs have ultra-nationalist and neo-Nazi supporters who are particularly averse to players of colour.
In June, a Brazilian player had a banana thrown at him during a game. The fruit has become emblematic of racism in Russian football, and there is talk of banning it from games as Russia – to host the 2018 World Cup -searches for a strategy to fight racism.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull reports from Moscow.
Source: Al Jazeera