Zenit fans protest at Malcom signing from Barcelona with a horribly racist manifesto and banners during a match last night.
Malcolm came to Zenit Petersberg after completing a brief spell at Barcelona for a price of £36 million. The move by the Brazilian International did surprise many.
https://twitter.com/fczenit_en/status/1157766972534398984?s=20
However, things got worse for Malcolm, as fans during a match last night refused to accept the 22-year-old forward because of his racial colour.
During Zenit’s game against Krasnodar in the Russian Premier League, their fans held up a banner tastelessly blasting the club for signing black players. The banner reads: “Thank you leadership for loyalty to traditions.”
Some Zenit fans have always shown resistance in altering the “traditions” and accepting diversity in the squad at the club. With the Landskrona fan association previously urging the hierarchy to not sign black players.
A lengthy manifesto has been posted by fans and is titled, ‘Zenit and black players’.
“The manifesto is in Russian but some of it has been transcribed and it is chilling. It reads: “We are not racist and for us the absence of black players is just an important tradition, emphasising the identity of the club and nothing more.”
“We, as the northernmost club of the major European cities, have never been mentally connected with Africa, however, as with South America or Australia or Oceania.”
The manifesto goes on to say that the club should ‘let us be what we are’. “We have absolutely nothing against the inhabitants of these and any other continents, but at the same time we want players who are close in spirit to speak for Zenit.”
“Now, Zenit black football players are being forced almost by force, and this causes only a backlash. Let us be what we are.”
The manifesto further other alarming concepts, including scouting four key ‘breeding areas’ for potential young players. “In addition, it is fundamentally important for us that Zenit retain its own identity, and not become an average European team with a standard set of legionnaires.”
In other reports, it is being suggested that Malcolm might be resold by Zenut during the January transfer window, due to the massive protest, making it the most disgraceful transfer move to ever happen.
How twitter reacted
Hi @FIFAcom what is your position regarding this?
Zenit Fans Protest At Malcom Signing With Horrific Racist Banner https://t.co/8t6JOgpqUC via @sportbible
— Ruy (@RuyGTR) August 5, 2019
Yes that’s what the protest was about. These racist people want the club to not sign black players anymore, not just Malcom but also the other black players you speak of.
— Barca fan (@FCBarcelonaUK1) August 5, 2019
New Zenit signing Malcom was abused by his own fans with racist chants. The Russians held a banner saying: “Keep our traditions the same and don’t sign black players.”#SayNoToRacism pic.twitter.com/TTOiUU8Y1h
— Mahmud Abdullahi (@mudopiaabdul) August 5, 2019
The banner sarcastically says thanks for maintaining traditions. So the fans are angry that Malcom is from a different race. If you don’t see that as Racist, you must be a very stupid person.
— Barca fan (@FCBarcelonaUK1) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/Sportstown01/status/1158283131457327104?s=20
