RPL accused Fakel fans of racism against Zenit player

The Russian Premier League (RPL) has declared the inadmissibility of racially motivated insults against football players against the background of an incident involving racism against Zenit St. Petersburg player Marcus Wendel Vale da Silva by fans of the Voronezh club Fakel.

"Following the results of the match between the football clubs Fakel and Zenit, information about the discriminatory behavior of fans of the Voronezh club against Zenit player Wendel was included in the delegate's report. Such antics are unacceptable and must be strictly suppressed by the relevant authorities," reads a statement published on March 8 on the RPL website.

During the match between the clubs, Wendell made a provocative gesture towards the stands of the Fakel spectators in response to racial insults directed at him.

"I want to be the best player in the Russian championship."

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Zenit football club from St. Petersburg beat Fakel Voronezh away in the Russian Premier League match with a score of 2:0. The meeting of the 20th round was held on Saturday, March 8. The score was opened in the 19th minute by the Argentine forward Luciano Gondu. Colombia's forward Mateo Casserra increased the advantage of the St. Petersburg club in the 57th minute. He came on as a substitute 11 minutes earlier.