Russian soccer coach banned for racist comments
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian soccer coach banned for racist comments, 13 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/548ea89815.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 13, 2014
A Russian soccer coach who said he would not sign any more "dark-skinned players" received a five-game ban on November 12 for racial discrimination.
The punishment is the strongest sanction for racism handed out to a player or coach by the Russian Football Union.
Last month, talking to reporters, Igor Gamula said that his Rostov football club had "enough dark-skinned players" and "we've got six of the things" when asked in a postmatch news conference about rumors the club would sign a player from Cameroon.
Gamula also made what he called a "joke" about the Ebola virus.
He apologized three days later after Rostov's African players threatened to go on strike.
Gamula, 54, took over as Rostov's coach in September.
The city of Rostov will host World Cup matches in 2018.
Based on reporting by AFP and rapsinews.ru
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
