Russia battles racism in football

[Princess Luna]

zjDExTVrDZk
Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o has become one of the world's highest-paid footballers and the biggest-ever signing to a Russian club. But Eto'o may face challenges on the pitch, as Russian football is plagued by racism.
Many Russian clubs have ultra-nationalist and neo-Nazi supporters who are particularly averse to players of colour.
In June, a Brazilian player had a banana thrown at him during a game. The fruit has become emblematic of racism in Russian football, and there is talk of banning it from games as Russia - to host the 2018 World Cup -searches for a strategy to fight racism.
Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull reports from Moscow.
http://english.aljazeera.net/video/europe/2011/08/201182763826190462.html

[Nox]

As someone who has family in the North Caucasus, I have heard awful stories of people just being attacked by a swarm of fascists in the streets. Next time I contact them I'll have to catch up with them and see what the situation in Russia is like.

[Skammunist]

I have question though, why does Russia have such a prevalent fascist presence? Wouldn't you think that a country that used to be the world's leading communist force would have the least racists out of all the countries?

Is it because the fascists have used the downfall of the Soviet Union as a scapegoat, as if to say that the bad times in Russia are due to socialists?

[Nox]

I have question though, why does Russia have such a prevalent fascist presence? Wouldn't you think that a country that used to be the world's leading communist force would have the least racists out of all the countries?

Is it because the fascists have used the downfall of the Soviet Union as a scapegoat, as if to say that the bad times in Russia are due to socialists?

No. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, the Russian economy has been in the shit, most of the money is in the hands of the rich, people use other ethnicities as a scapegoat for the economic hardship.

[ВАЛТЕР]

Psssh...When Eto'o starts kicking ass on the field he'll turn them all into Black Panthers.

I love Eto'o, he is one of the best footballers in the world in my opinion. I was sad to see him leave Inter though :/

[danyboy27]

I have question though, why does Russia have such a prevalent fascist presence? Wouldn't you think that a country that used to be the world's leading communist force would have the least racists out of all the countries?

Is it because the fascists have used the downfall of the Soviet Union as a scapegoat, as if to say that the bad times in Russia are due to socialists?

extreme Nationalism was present during the whole existence of the soviet union. when it collapsed, this patriotism and nationalism was dirrected elswhere by other forces.

it just show how healthy the atmosphere was back then.

[Skammunist]

Excellent point. It makes sense when you consider that many Soviet citizens were devoted entirely to their own country rather than to international socialism. Many of Stalin's policies, such as "socialism in one country", emphasized this.

[danyboy27]

Its not something that is only happening to russia tho, if you look at the other non-soviet eastern bloc regimes, they also have to deal with xenophobia on a daily basis beccause of the same reasons.

Nationalism is a verry dangerous thing. those who think this force can be used for good purposes are kidding themselves.