The Russian Premier League ethics committee is set to probe alleged racist comments made by the veteran international striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, local media reported on Sunday.
Pogrebnyak, who won 33 caps with Russia, is in trouble after remarks made about Brazilian-born, naturalised Russian striker Ari, who has two caps for his new national side.
“It’s ridiculous when a black player plays for the Russian national team,” the 35-year-old Pogrebnyak allegedly said in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda daily.
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Winston Reid of West Ham United holds off Pavel PogrebnyakSource: Getty Images
“I’m not into this (naturalisation of foreign footballers). There is no need for it. I don’t understand why Ari got a Russian passport,” said Pogrebnyak, who played at Fulham and Reading.
“It is laughable when a black player represents the Russian national side.
“Mario Fernandes is a top player. But we also have Igor Smolnikov in his position. We could make do without foreigners as well.”
Alexander Baranov, deputy chief of the Russian league’s anti-discrimination panel, told Sport-Express daily the RFU will definitely examine the case.
Baranov added that Pogrebnyak may be fined or suspended for his remarks.
Pogrebnyak’s comments have been described as ‘laughable’ by Russian president Vladimir Putin’s human rights advisor.
Mikhail Fedotov, head of the presidential Human Rights Council condemned the views – saying they ‘smelt of racism.’
“I believe that any football player who plays well and has Russian citizenship has a right to represent the Russian national side,” Fedotov told the TV channel Moscow 360.
“The colour of their skin, eyes, hair and everything else has no significance. This should be obvious to anyone.”
It is thought the striker’s ban could be as long as 10 matches, and he has sought to clarify his remarks in recent days.
“I do not have anything against black players,” Pogrebnyak told Sport24.
“In the interview I voiced my strictly personal opinion that in the Russian national side I would like to see footballers who were born and raised in our country. That is all. I did not mean to insult anyone.”
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