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Russian football’s ‘Miss Charming’ contest winner deposed in neo-Nazi row Russian football’s ‘Miss Charming’ contest winner deposed in neo-Nazi row
(34 minutes later)
Anti-racism campaigner Piara Powar has attacked Russian football’s record on confronting prejudice after it emerged that a winner of the official Russian Premier League annual beauty contest, crowned “Miss Charming”, had posted neo-Nazi messages on social media.Anti-racism campaigner Piara Powar has attacked Russian football’s record on confronting prejudice after it emerged that a winner of the official Russian Premier League annual beauty contest, crowned “Miss Charming”, had posted neo-Nazi messages on social media.
The latest racism story to emerge from the 2018 World Cup host nation comes days after the Brazil forward Hulk revealed he encounters racism “in almost every game” he plays for Zenit St. Petersburg, and Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off for gesturing towards abusive Spartak Moscow fans. The Russian Football Union later ruled there was no evidence to prove that Frimpong had been targeted by racists. The latest racism story to emerge from the 2018 World Cup host nation comes days after the Brazil forward Hulk revealed he encounters racism “in almost every game” he plays for Zenit St Petersburg, and Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off for gesturing towards abusive Spartak Moscow fans. The Russian Football Union later ruled there was no evidence to prove that Frimpong had been targeted by racists.
Related: Emmanuel Frimpong handed two-match ban after Russian FA rejects racism claimsRelated: Emmanuel Frimpong handed two-match ban after Russian FA rejects racism claims
The annual beauty pageant, featuring 16 female contestants each representing one of the top-flight’s teams, ended with CSKA Moscow’s choice, 21-year-old Olga Kuzkova, winning the “Miss Charming” title. The annual beauty pageant, featuring 16 female contestants each representing one of the top flight’s teams, ended with CSKA Moscow’s choice, 21-year-old Olga Kuzkova, winning the “Miss Charming” title.
However, officials later stripped her of the title after it emerged she had made a series of racist social media postings, including one showing her performing a Nazi salute while standing in front of a wall covered in Nazi graffiti.However, officials later stripped her of the title after it emerged she had made a series of racist social media postings, including one showing her performing a Nazi salute while standing in front of a wall covered in Nazi graffiti.
Sergei Cheban, the league’s executive director, told the Sport Express newspaper: “We do not tolerate manifestations of fascism, nationalism and racism. It is unfortunate that it happened. However, I beg people to understand the situation and the person. When we are young we all make mistakes, sometimes going the wrong way. Who is not without sin?Sergei Cheban, the league’s executive director, told the Sport Express newspaper: “We do not tolerate manifestations of fascism, nationalism and racism. It is unfortunate that it happened. However, I beg people to understand the situation and the person. When we are young we all make mistakes, sometimes going the wrong way. Who is not without sin?
“Some errors are corrected easily, some are more difficult. I would be happy if this story will help Olga deal with her outlook on life. Olga herself told me that she was ready to give up the title after what happened, because of the shadow cast on CSKA and its fans. I replied that she did not need to be hasty, but in the end, we consulted with members of the jury and decided to withdraw the award.”“Some errors are corrected easily, some are more difficult. I would be happy if this story will help Olga deal with her outlook on life. Olga herself told me that she was ready to give up the title after what happened, because of the shadow cast on CSKA and its fans. I replied that she did not need to be hasty, but in the end, we consulted with members of the jury and decided to withdraw the award.”
Powar, executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, said in a statement: “Both the racist chants against Frimpong and the beauty pageant controversy come as a reminder that the Russian Football authorities need to do more. An acceptable long term reaction can only come through the implementation of an action plan covering all elements of racism, discrimination and far-right involvement. Powar, executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe network, said in a statement: “Both the racist chants against Frimpong and the beauty pageant controversy come as a reminder that the Russian football authorities need to do more. An acceptable long-term reaction can only come through the implementation of an action plan covering all elements of racism, discrimination and far-right involvement.
“The World Cup is a global event, hosting it means a global spotlight is focused on whoever wins the right. And Russia will continue to face questions over these issues around the world until we see some real progress. “The World Cup is a global event. Hosting it means a global spotlight is focused on whoever wins the right. And Russia will continue to face questions over these issues around the world until we see some real progress.
“The discourse around the Frimpong incident shows just how far we have have to go, the blame is placed on the victim and his reaction not the perpetrators of the offence. The same happened last season with incidents involving Samba and Hulk.”“The discourse around the Frimpong incident shows just how far we have have to go, the blame is placed on the victim and his reaction not the perpetrators of the offence. The same happened last season with incidents involving Samba and Hulk.”
After the Frimpong incident, the general director of his club FC Ufa, Shamil Gazizov, defended Spartak, saying: “It was an unfortunate incident … These are emotions which go away after the game. We are partners with the red and whites and are on good terms. What Frimpong did was wrong. Sometimes you even have to hold back the tears and just put up with it.” After the Frimpong incident, the general director of his club Ufa, Shamil Gazizov, defended Spartak, saying: “It was an unfortunate incident … these are emotions which go away after the game. We are partners with the red and whites and are on good terms. What Frimpong did was wrong. Sometimes you even have to hold back the tears and just put up with it.”
The Russian Football Union’s disciplinary committee subsequently rejected Frimpong’s claim that he was the target of monkey chants, saying“The match inspector and the match delegate did not note that there had been any disciplinary violations by Spartak supporters towards Frimpong in the match reports. There were no instances of racism. We have no grounds to take disciplinary sanctions against Spartak.” The Russian Football Union’s disciplinary committee subsequently rejected Frimpong’s claim that he was the target of monkey chants, saying: “The match inspector and the match delegate did not note that there had been any disciplinary violations by Spartak supporters towards Frimpong in the match reports. There were no instances of racism. We have no grounds to take disciplinary sanctions against Spartak.”