FIFA charge World Cup hosts Russia over fan racism | OneFootball

FIFA have charged World Cup hosts Russia over monkey chants heard during their game with France earlier this month.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Barcelona youngster Ousmane Dembélé were allegedly targeted by fans during the match in Saint Petersburg.

And the world’s governing body have confirmed that proceedings have been opened.

“Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Russian Football Union for this incident,” FIFA said.

The Russian Football Union responded with a statement of their own, with anti-discrimination officer Alexei Smertin claiming that if fans were found guilty they would be banned from matches in the future.

“A request has been made to the Interior Ministry to identify several persons who were involved in these incidents,” he was quoted as saying by the Tass news agency.

“If these people’s guilt is proven, then there’s a high likelihood they won’t be allowed to attend World Cup and Russian league games.”