11/21/24
December 17, 2012
Russian Team's Fans Demand All-White, All-Straight Team: The biggest fan club of the top Russian soccer club Zenit St. Petersburg have released a manifesto demanding that the team only sign white heterosexual players. "Dark-skinned players are all but forced down Zenit's throat now, which only brings out a negative reaction," the manifesto by the Landscrona fan club states. It calls gay players "unworthy of our great city." Without referring specifically to the manifesto, Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti said, "I think that Zenit has proven through its work that the club understands what tolerance is, and what it means to have tolerant behavior." The fan club insisted, "We are not racists and for us the absence of black Zenit players is just an important tradition that underlines the team's identity and nothing more."
When you have to insist something isn't true, more often than not it really is true.
Oh but I insist, that's true...
At this point in time, were I of colour or gay, and had the mad skills to play that level I wouldn't even consider Zenit St. Pete...
posted by Folkways at 04:14 PM on December 17, 2012
At this point in time, were I of colour or gay, and had the mad skills to play that level I wouldn't even consider Zenit St. Pete...
Yeah, I feel like the fans have probably achieved their goal at this point by making it a completely unpleasant place to play.
posted by Rock Steady at 04:40 PM on December 17, 2012
At this point in time, were I of colour or gay, and had the mad skills to play that level I wouldn't even consider Zenit St. Pete...
Or even a straight white guy that has no tolerance for a hostile, bigoted fan base.
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:37 PM on December 17, 2012
"Tradition" ... code word for "we never had their type before and we don't want them now."
posted by jjzucal at 07:01 PM on December 17, 2012
There's probably a Timberwolves joke to be made here somewhere.
posted by TheQatarian at 07:21 PM on December 17, 2012
Seems like there's some room for a little giveback here.
Time for someone to start a "Fuck Leningrad" apparel campaign.
posted by beaverboard at 08:50 PM on December 17, 2012
Zenit? More like Nadir.
posted by Hugh Janus at 08:08 AM on December 18, 2012
Shameful. I don't know how closely associated the fan club is with the team, but this might be a case for UEFA to mete out some punishment? Russia hosts the World Cup in 2018 - will FIFA have something to say? With the Winter Olympics coming up in Sochi in 2014, maybe the IOC will have a statement? Or is that all a bit too optimistic on my part?
posted by sbacharach at 01:17 PM on December 18, 2012
If the team has any official recognition or relationship with the club, it needs to cut those ties. This is an absolute disgrace.
posted by rcade at 01:19 PM on December 18, 2012
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate broccoli. I just want all of my meals to be served without broccoli. I like it just fine, so don't think I'm an anti-broccolite. I'm just saying that I will only eat a meal if it does not include broccoli. I've had broccoli shoved down my throat for years. Now I just wanrt to make it clear that I will no longer support a restaurant that serves broccoli. But I swear, I like broccoli as much as the next guy.
Shitheads.
posted by tahoemoj at 02:05 PM on December 18, 2012
^^^^ Now that's Funny!!!
posted by Folkways at 03:20 PM on December 18, 2012
The fan club insisted, "We are not racists.."
When you have to insist something isn't true, more often than not it really is true.