Racism is killing football, says Christopher Samba

Jan 11, 2013 6:25:00 PM

The Anzhi Makhachkala defender has called for ethnic discrimination to be stamped out of the game, saying that it hard for players to know how to react to prejudiced chants

Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba has claimed that the issue of racism is "killing the game".

The Congolese defender moved to the Dagestan club in January 2012, and found himself the victim of prejudiced chanting from the stands in Russia.

AC Milan star Kevin-Prince Boateng recently walked out on a match after being greeted with monkey chants, and Samba feels the Ghanaian was right to do so.

"Some Zenit St Petersburg fans have made bad statements about not wanting black players in their team, and I was a victim of the racist incident at Lokomotiv Moscow," he told The Guardian.

"I admire [Boateng's] club and team-mates who supported him, but those chants were disgraceful; it is sad to see this – it is killing the game.

"It is very difficult for players to know what to do. Playing on shows strength in a way, but it can also seem like we are avoiding the problem."

Anzhi have made the headlines in recent years due to their riches and ambitious transfer policy, and Samba says he believes in the project that the club have been building.

"The owner is doing everything for us to be happy," he continued. "He listens to any problem, he is very kind, he has a big heart.

"The owner is trying to give the people some joy creating this football team."

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