We're no racists: Russians hit back claiming banana banner was harmless 'slang'

02 September 2010 12:34
The head of Russia's 2018 World Cup bid has insisted that the country does not have a problem with racist fans.[LNB]Alexei Sorokin, the bid's chief executive, also claimed that a banner aimed at Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie by Lokomotiv Moscow fans showing a banana and saying: "Thanks West Brom" was not racist.[LNB]Sorokin claimed in Russia the phrase "to get a banana" is slang for "to fail a test". Odemwingie himself however has no doubts that the banner was racist.[LNB] Enlarge Slang? The banner held by fans when Odemwingie left Lokomotiv[LNB]Sorokin said: 'The Russian Football Union doesn't accept any demonstrations of racism.[LNB]'I know that this banner applied to a certain player and to the manner of how he played in his last matches,' said Sorokin.[LNB]'Apparently fans were not happy with the fact that he plays better for Nigeria and worse for the club. That's why they have shown their satisfaction after he left. And there is nothing racial in it.[LNB]Moved on: Russian officials claim the banner directed at Odemwingie simply meant 'to fail a test'[LNB]'If there would be another player - from Russia, Denmark, Norway or Japan, for example - the reaction could be the same. In Russia 'to get a banana' means 'to fail a test somewhere'.'[LNB]Sorokin said some black players such as Brazil's Vagner Love had become fans' heroes.[LNB]He added: 'About five years ago one Russian international was booed as well and received the same banners. This is a free expression of the will but there are all kinds of measures for those who misbehave.[LNB]'The Russian football union doesn't absolutely accept any demonstrations of racism and roughly restrains them with all available methods.'[LNB]Galina Kozhevnikova, deputy director of the Russian SOVA Centre for Information and Analysis, which monitors extremism in the country disputes Sorokin's claim however.[LNB]She said: 'The phrase 'to get a banana' existed in the time of the Soviet Union and has almost disappeared from the slang. The RFU simply doesn't want to recognise that banner as a racism.'[LNB]Odemwingie said he had regularly been subjected to racism in Russia and had no doubts about the banner.[LNB]He said: 'Sadly, it's a picture of a minority group in Russia - it really makes you feel sick but that is what it is.'[LNB] MARTIN SAMUEL: It's black and white why not to award Russia 2018England's 2018 rivals Russia hit by race storm over Odemwingie bannerEXCLUSIVE: Wenger - Why it's time England hosted the World Cup againManchester City's Balotelli to face racist Juventus fans again[LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail