Ex-CSKA Moscow forward Vagner Love has reportedly called Zenit "the most racist team in Russia," saying the only time he suffered from racism during his seven seasons in the country was against the St. Petersburg team.
Vagner Love, 27, moved to Rio de Janeiro side Flamengo this winter after spending seven spectacular seasons with CSKA. He became the Russian Premier League's all-time top foreign scorer with 117 goals in 244 matches.
He said recent abuse from fans earlier this month at a Copa Liberatadores match at Ecuadorian club Emelev didn't faze him because he had become hardened to it in Russia.
"In Russia similar things happened two or three times," Vagner Love was quoted as saying by Brazilian daily newspaper Globo Esporte on Friday. "It was always during the matches against Zenit, which is the most racist team in Russia. ... It's their way."
Zenit St. Petersburg are the only leading Russian Premier League club never to have fielded a black player, and former coach Dick Advocaat said that racist fans prevented him signing players based on the color of their skin.
"Unfortunately, some players can't get over it, but, thank God, I never had a problem," Vagner Love was qutoed as saying. "It all went in one ear and out the other. In such situations you should never get angry, or say or do anything. Life goes on and you come on the pitch to play."
Russia's problems with racism have come under scrutiny since the country was awarded hosting rights to the 2018 World Cup.
Anzhi's Roberto Carlos and Christopher Samba have both had bananas thrown at them over the last year, and signs the scourge is yet to be dealt keep appearing.
Spartak and Nigerian forward Emmanuel Emenike made an obscene gesture to Dynamo Moscow fans during his team's 3-1 league victory on March 25, claiming they were abusing him.
He was fined $17,000 for the gesture.
