Russia Football League to probe racist jibe at Roberto Carlos

To all football folks, this is what Roberto Carlos is all about. He is a legend, a champion, not a monkey or chimpanzee.






World football governing body, FIFA and its President, Sepp Blater should seriously investigate the recent incident where Brazilian Football Star, Roberto Carlos was a victim of racism not once but twice.

Roberto Carlos is a legend, not an animal and he does not deserve that inhuman and jungle books treatments.

After the incident which happened on Wednesday 22 Jun 2011, Russia's football league is launching an investigation.

The shameful act by Russian football supporters happened after a banana was thrown at Roberto Carlos during a league match on Wednesday, 22 Jun 2011.

It was the second such racist taunt to be faced by the 2002 World Cup winner in three months, local media reported.

The Brazilian, who joined Anzhi Makhachkala earlier on 2011, quit the pitch in protest before the final whistle after the banana was thrown from the stands in stoppage time of a game at Krylya Sovetov.

Krylya Sovetov will also begin its own inquiry into the incident, the website of Russian daily Sport Express said.

"I'm outraged by the sickening behavior of this fan, who, in fact, insulted not only me but all the players," Roberto Carlos told Sport Express. "I hope Russian federation, UEFA and FIFA will give an adequate evaluation to this disgusting incident."

He said his decision to walk off had nothing to do with his side's 3-0 lead at the time.

"I did it deliberately because I have suffered a bitter disappointment and I didn't want to continue to play in the match," he said. "Believe me, I would have done it at any scoreline."

He also said he raised two fingers at the side of the pitch "to remind (people) that it was the second such case in the short time that I've been playing in Russia."

In March 2011, Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg was fined $10,000 after one of its fans offered a banana to Roberto Carlos at a pre-match ceremony.

The 38-year-old left wingback, who won the World Cup in 2002, joined the Russian club earlier this year from Corinthians.

"It's a pity," the Brazilian said. "The majority of the people in the country treat players, including foreign ones, cordially and with respect. Unfortunately, there are also freaks, such as this one."

He added that a senior Krylya club official came to the changing room to apologize.

"I'm not used to racism in football," he told the RIA Novosti news agency. "Russia should not be an exception."

Sergei Fursenko, president of the Russian Football Federation, told Sport Express that his executive committee will discuss the incident at an extraordinary meeting Thursday 23 June 2011.

"We will sort out the situation and seriously punish those guilty," he was quoted as saying. "We must fight racism in the stands decisively."

The incident was also condemned by Anzhi coach Gadzhi Gadzhiyev.

"A banana thrown on the field left an impression as lingering as the joy of our victory," Gadzhiyev was quoted as telling the paper. "One cannot remain indifferent about a prank like this."