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St. Petersburg "Zenit" fans demand that the club's management remove black and homosexual footballers from the team.
The biggest ultras group "Landscrona" expressed this request in an open letter, adding that such players "are not worthy of our great city."
The sports director of the Russian team, Dietman Beiersdorfer, responded that "footballers are selected without any requirements regarding origin, religion, or skin color." He was seconded by coach Luciano Spalletti, who called such demands "foolish" and urged tolerance towards representatives of other cultures.
Until last summer, "Zenit" was the only Russian club that did not have black players in its lineup. At that time, defenders Axel Witsel and forward Hulk were acquired for more than 70 million euros.
In addition, according to reports, the offer from "Zenit" was rejected by Frenchman Yann M'Vila, and the main reason for such a decision was the threat of racial hatred.
