Samba racially abused in Russia

Christopher Samba is the latest player in the Russian Premier League to be the victim of racial abuse.

The Anzhi Makhachkala defender, who joined the club last month from Blackburn Rovers, spoke out after a banana was thrown from the crowd in the club’s game with Lokomotiv Moscow on Sunday.

“I am very sad that this happened in front of children who were sitting in the same stand,” the Congo international said.

“It is a really bad example for them.”

A spokesperson from Anzhi also confirmed the incident.

“A banana came down at Samba from the VIP section, as the teams were leaving the field,” the spokesperson said.

“Who threw it is unknown. Samba picked up the banana and threw it back. In our opinion this was the best and most appropriate response to those responsible.”

Despite Samba speaking out on the incident, Lokomotiv president Olga Smorodskaya issued a denial to the Russian media after the match.

“This didn’t happen, and couldn’t have happened,” she said.

“I watched our fans behave in the stadium. They provided exemplary support to the team.”

This is not the first time the Moscow outfit have been found racially abusing a player.

In 2010, fans of the team unveiled a banner displaying a banana, saying: ‘Thanks West Brom’, after the West Midlands side signed the Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie from the club.