Russian soccer champion Spartak Moscow has been accused of racism after a tweet which appeared to refer to its black players as "chocolates." Authorities have said they will crack down on racism ahead of the World Cup.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/S. Suki/EPA
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A tweet from FC Spartak Moscow, translated as "See how the chocolates melt in the sun" and posted as a caption to a video of Brazilian players Fernando, Luiz Adriano and Pedro Rocha, has been criticized for promoting racism ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
The tweet, which showed the players training in sunny conditions at a team camp in Dubai, was deleted five hours after it was posted on Saturday morning, after being retweeted 1,400 times.
The phrase referring to the players as "chocolates" is repeated in the video, apparently spoken by Georgy Dzhikiya, one of Spartak's players who was in control of the club's Twitter feed for the day. Dzhikiya, a defender, also plays for the Russian national team.
After the post was deleted, another video with Dzhikiya and the three Brazilians in a group hug was posted to Twitter. In the video, Dzhikiya said: "We're all one big family," as Adriano added: "This is my friend, my brother ... a legend of Spartak. I love you, my friend."
Russia gets into soccer spirit
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'Highlights prejudices'
Anti-discrimination groups criticized Spartak and voiced their concern, with Russia due to host the 2018 World Cup later this year.
"This shows a shocking level of ignorance. For Russia's biggest club to tolerate and then celebrate racist references of this kind is wrong," said Piara Powar, executive director of anti-discrimination group FARE Network, which investigates racism issues for European governing body UEFA.
"This social media post from the official account of Spartak Moscow only continues to highlight the prejudices towards black people in Russia," said UK anti-racism group Kick it Out. "With the World Cup only a few months away, it is a reminder that Russia, as with the whole of football, has significant work to do to eradicate racism of all forms from the game."
"Spartak apologizes for this unfortunate phrase," a spokesman for the club later told news agency TASS.
"The player did not mean to offend anyone, he simply made an unfortunate joke."
Russia 2018: The venues
The draw for the 2018 World Cup in Russia takes place on Friday. Here is a look at the 12 stadiums that will host matches at next June and July's tournament.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/S. Suki/EPA
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
The main stadium, which is home to the Russian national team, has a capacity of 81,000. It will be the venue for both the opening match and the World Cup final, as well as one of the semifinals. The stadium, which has been renovated for the World Cup, has previously hosted a Champions League final and the Summer Olympic Games.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images
Saint Petersburg Stadium
The new home of Zenit St. Petersburg holds 68,000 spectators. It is the venue for one of the semifinals and the third-place match. It will also host a game in the last 16 as well as group stage matches, including one of Russia's clashes. Saint Petersburg Stadium was also a venue for the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/D. Lovetsky/AP
Yekaterinburg Arena
The Yekateringburg Arena, which was built in 1953 has been refurbished for the 2018 World Cup. The stadium, with a capacity of 35,000, is the home of FC Ural of the Russian first division. Yekaterinburg is the furthest east of the host cities.
Image: picture-alliance/Sputnik/V. Sergeev
Rostov Arena
Rostov Arena, with a capacity of 45,000 is one of the new stadiums built specifically for the World Cup. The stadium will host four group-stage games and one match in the last 16. It will become the new home of FC Rostov after next summer's tournament.
Image: picture-alliance/Sputnik/Ирина Белова
Volgograd Arena
This venue was built on the site of the old Central Stadium in Volgograd near the Volga river. It can hold over 45,000 spectators and will only be used for the group stage. After the World Cup, it will become the home of Rotor Volgograd, a club currently playing in Russia's second division. Volgograd used to be known as Stalingrad.
Image: picture-alliance/Sputnik/V. Sergeev
Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
This 45,000 capacity stadium was built specifically for the World Cup. It will host four group-stage games as well as a round-of-16 match and a quarterfinal. After the tournament, it is expected to become the home ground of Olimpiyets Nizhny Novgorod of the Russian second division, although in March 2017, then-regional governor Valery Shantsev said it would also be used for other sporting events.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images
Kaliningrad Stadium
This is the only World Cup venue in an exclave of Russia — Kaliningrad is a territory between Poland and Lithuania. The 35,000-capacity stadium was built specifically for the World Cup and will be downsized after the tournament. It is only a venue for the group stage and will become the new home of Baltika Kaliningrad, a club in Russia's second division.
Image: picture-alliance/TASS/V. Nevar
Mordovia Arena, Saransk
German architect Tim Hupe designed this brand new bowl stadium for the World Cup. The stadium has a capacity of 44,000 and will only host matches in the group stage. After the tournament, the upper seating will be dismantled and the stadium will be handed over to third-tier Russian side Mordovia Saransk.
Image: picture-alliance/TASS/S. Krasilnikov
Samara Arena
This 44,000 capacity stadium was built for the World Cup on an island south of Samara where no settlements or infrastructure previously existed. This is where hosts Russia will play their final group-stage match. A last-16 match and a quarterfinal will also be played in the stadium, which is to become the home of Krylya Sovetov, currently in the Russian second division, after the tournament.
Image: picture-alliance/TASS/Y. Aleyev
Spartak Stadium, Moscow
Though it was used for the Confederations Cup, the Spartak Stadium, with a capacity of 45,000, will only be used for four group-stage games and one first knockout-stage game. The arena was re-opened in 2014 and is the home of Spartak Moscow, Russia's most successful football club.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/S. Suki/EPA
Kazan Arena
A venue for the Confederations Cup, Kazan Arena will be used for a last 16 game, a quarterfinal and four group stage games. The capacity of the stadium is 41,585. Vladimir Putin laid the cornerstone for the stadium before it opened in 2013. It is the home ground of Rubin Kazan.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/N. Alexandrov/AP
Fisht Stadium, Sochi
This 41,220-capacity stadium was constructed for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. A large section of the roof has been removed to accommodate football. A last 16 match and a quarterfinal will be played here as well as four group games.
Image: Picture alliance/dpa/A. Lebevev/AP
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Not the first time
Racist behavior at the club has been cited before. Leonid Mironov, the club's 19-year-old captain, was charged over alleged racist abuse of Liverpool's Rhian Brewster during a UEFA Youth League game in December. Mironov has denied making any racist comments.
UEFA also ruled that Spartak fans abused Liverpool striker Bobby Adekanye with monkey chants during another Youth League game.
Russian authorities have said they would crack down on hooliganism and racism for the World Cup, which starts with a match against Saudi Arabia in Moscow on June 14.
