Source: Daily_Mail
Russia can't be England's World Cup 2018 rivals
Peter Odemwingie has questioned Russia's suitability as a rival to England in the bid to host the 2018 World Cup. [LNB]The Nigeria striker was unwittingly at the centre of a storm when Lokomotiv Moscow supporters celebrated his sale to West Bromwich Albion by displaying a banner depicting a banana, with the message: 'Thanks West Brom.'[LNB]The country's 2018 bid chief Alexei Sorokin tried to claim the banner had nothing to do with racism and represented an oudated Russian saying 'to get a banana', which means to do badly in an examination.[LNB] Taunt: Lokomotiv Moscow fans unfurl a banner aimed at former player Peter Odemwingie who moved to West Brom[LNB]However, Odemwingie, who grew up andspent most of his life in Russia and Uzbekistan, admitted: 'I've neverheard of such sayings.'[LNB]The 29-year-old said he could not besure of the meaning of the banner, but he is in no doubt that racistattitudes are a problem in a country he calls home.[LNB]Parting shot: Peter Odemwingie joined West Bromwich Albion this summer from the Russian league[LNB]'I'm not opposed to Russia holdingthe World Cup,' he told newspaper Sovetskiy Sport. 'But at the sametime I wonder, how is it possible to carry out such an importanttournament in such an atmosphere?[LNB]'After all, thousands of Africans,Asians and Latin Americans would come to Russia. What would happen ifthey are welcomed - be it players or supporters - by animal noises? Orthe next banner that someone will make? Russia will be disgraced beforethe whole world.[LNB]'It's a pity that in Russia - and I consider it my homeland - that this is how things are.'[LNB]Odemwingie is quick to point outthat racism is not exclusive to Russia and considers the Lokomotiv fanswho targeted him to be in the minority, but he wants more to be done todrive racism out of football stadiums. [LNB]The former Lille striker has justmoved into an apartment in the Midlands and feels warmly welcomed inEngland, a contrast to when he taunted at school in Russia.[LNB]'When I moved to Naberezhnye Chelny(a city in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan), I was doomed toexcessive attention from my class-mates,' recalls Odemwingie of hisearly teenage years.[LNB]'I stood out at school because of my colour, I was the only mixed-race child.[LNB]'In lessons, children from otherclasses might walk past and point at me from behind the door. Sometimesthey teased. Of course this hurt, but I coped and with age I stoppedworrying. In Russia I have many friends and I developed a good-natured,jolly character.'[LNB] FIFA inspectors visit Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium last month as part of the World Cup bid[LNB]Russians are currently debating themore complex issue of whether Spartak Moscow's Brazilian strikerWelliton should take citizenship and be welcomed into the national team.[LNB]Similar debates provoke passionateand ideological viewpoints in England, most recently over the potentialfor Everton's Spaniard Mikel Arteta to play for Fabio Capello's team.[LNB]Arsenal forward and Russia captainAndrey Arshavin is among those who is opposed to playing alongsideWelliton, but Odemwingie said: 'In my opinion, there should be noresistance.[LNB] It begs the question: Spartak Moskva's Brazilian forward Welliton (left) could yet represent Russia[LNB]'If the player and the FA are inagreement, what would be the problem? Look at what happens in Europeancountries: there are Brazilians and Africans. [LNB]'But if naturalization has only one benefit - to improve results - it is fundamentally the wrong approach. [LNB]'It is important that the playerloves the country he is going to play for. We must ask Welliton: isRussia in his heart? It is important for him to know the Russianlanguage.'[LNB] England's 2018 rivals Russia hit by race storm over Odemwingie bannerFIFA say racism 'not a factor' in battle for World Cup 2018We're no racists: Russians hit back claiming banana banner was harmless 'slang' MARTIN SAMUEL: It's black and white why not to award Russia 2018Scouting report: Peter Odemwingie (West Brom striker) [LNB] [LNB]
