Dynamo Moscow's Christopher Samba Charged for Response to Racist Abuse
Sep 26, 2014
KHIMKI, RUSSIA - MARCH 23: Christopher Samba (L) of FC Dinamo Moscow challenged by Aleksandr Prudnikov of FC Rubin Kazan during the Russian Premier League match between FC Dinamo Moscow and FC Rubin Kazan at the Arena Khimki Stadium on March 23, 2014 in Khimki, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)
Christopher Samba has been charged by Russian Premier League club Dynamo Moscow for displaying an "unpleasant gesture" to rival fans. The ex-Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers centre-back was subjected to racial taunts from fans of city rivals Torpedo Moscow which apparently led to his reaction.
The incident occurred during a derby match this past Sunday at Torpedo's Saturn Stadium. Dynamo won the game 3-1 but had to play the second half without Samba, who was withdrawn in response to the abuse.
That's apparently when the 30-year-old reacted to the insults, according to the Associated Press (h/t USA Today):
Samba was substituted at halftime in apparent distress at the abuse, but faces a Russian Football Union charge he displayed an "unpleasant gesture" to Torpedo fans. The RFU did not elaborate.
RFU disciplinary committee chairman Artur Grigoryants told the R-Sport agency that the case will be heard on Saturday.
Torpedo was punished for the racist abuse on Thursday when the RFU ordered the closure of one stand for its next game.
The same report also indicated that this isn't the first time a player on the receiving end of racial slurs has faced a charge for his response. Dacosta Goore, at the time a defender for Alania, incurred a ban after giving a middle finger to his abusers.
RAMENSKOE, RUSSIA - NOVEMBER 28: Aleksei Ivanov (L) of FC Saturn Moscow Oblast battles for the ball with Dacosta Goore of FC Alania Vladikavkaz during the Russian Football League Championship match between FC Saturn and FC Alania at the Saturn Stadium on
It has since been confirmed that Samba "asked not to play the second half" because of the extent of the abuse, a fact Dynamo made public according to the Telegraph:
Dynamo manager Stanislav Cherchesov had originally claimed that Samba had gone off with a calf injury, but club vice-president Gennady Soloviev said last night: 'I can confirm Samba felt offended with Torpedo fans and didn’t want to go on the pitch for the second half. That is why he was replaced.'
This certainly isn't the first time Samba has encountered problems since moving to Russia's top flight from Rovers in February 2012. He had been a major hit in the English Premier League after arriving at Blackburn from Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin.
The Congolese powerhouse proved a determined and rugged defender with a flair for snatching goals from set pieces thanks to his tremendous aerial strength.
Those attributes were enough to encourage newly minted Anzhi Makhachkala to come calling. The club, barely 20 years old at the time, wanted Samba to underpin a new side that also included Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o.
However, in December 2012 Samba had very strong words for supporters of Zenit St Petersburg, during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live (h/t BBC Sport):
I'm not surprised. Everybody knows Zenit supporters are no good and racist.
They are living in another century. It's a sad day for Russian football.
In this time we have different communities and countries that constitute teams. If they can't accept that then they are never going to progress.
Midfielder Alex Witsel since described incidents of racism he'd encountered while playing for Zenit, via a report from RSport.ru. The latest incident is another unsavoury chapter in recent Russian football history.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Axel Witsel of Zenit goes past Jose Enrique of Liverpool during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between Liverpool FC and FC Zenit St Petersburg at Anfield on February 21, 2013 in Liverpool, England.
Naturally, a lot of focus will be on the response. BBC Russian Service reporter Rafael Saakov detailed the extent of Torpedo's punishment:
Russian Football Union (RFU) ruled on Thursday Torpedo must shut the 'fan's sector' for their next league match.
However, all other parts of the Saturn Stadium will remain open.
The 'fans' sector' is the part of the arena where the most active fans of the home team sit. There are no restrictions in place to prevent those supporters from buying tickets to sit elsewhere in the stadium.
Given the details Saakov outlines, closing part of the Saturn Stadium is unlikely to be considered a stern enough punishment. It could certainly seem that way alongside whatever punishment Samba may receive.
There will be a lot of eyes on how the RFU treats Samba in the aftermath of this latest incident. The nation has been selected to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
That puts more scrutiny on how the domestic governing bodies respond to a problem that isn't going away.
Dan Petrescu: Can He Save FC Dynamo Moscow from Possible RPL Relegation?
Aug 18, 2012
Dan Petrescu has just signed a three-year contract with Dynamo Moscow. According to an article which appeared in RIA Novosti, he takes over at a time of crisis for the club.
Dynamo Moscow started the Russian Premier League season with four consecutive losses. The club is currently in 16th place and owns the possibility of relegation if there is no improvement.
The losses lead to the resignation of Valery Gazzaev as coach as well as accusations against the club. Gazzaev accused the club's management of being "clueless" as to why the team is losing.
Petrescu said that he is up the challenge and is planning on a taking Dynamo Moscow to victory.
What can Petrescu do to save Dynamo Moscow from possible relegation?
For the immediate future, Petrescu is thinking about the matches against Terek Grozny and VfB Stuttgart. Dmitri Khokhlov will be serving as the coach in this Sunday's match between Dynamo and Terek Grozny.
Khokhlov is serving in this position since Petrescu is currently under a six-match ban. The reason was for shoving a referee during the match between FC Kuban Krasnodar (Petrescu's former club) and Dynamo Moscow (Petrescu's current club) last May.
In the meantime, Petrescu is preparing for his first match as coach. The UEFA Europa League match between Dynamo Moscow and VfB Stuttgart is expected to be a test as to what is in store for Petrescu.
Petrescu will probably hire for more members for his coaching staff and prepare the way after the Europa League match.
Dan Petrescu's Curriculum Vitae
According to Romanian Soccer, Petrescu has an impressive curriculum vitae (CV) which could help the club. Petrescu has been associated with clubs such as FC Steaua Bucuresti, FC Olt Scornicesti, Calcio Foggia, Genoa FC, Southhampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Chelsea.
Petrescu participated in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the European Champions Cup. During his time with the EPL, Petrescu managed 24 goals within 215 matches.
In Serie A, it was eight goals within 79 matches. Petrescu also managed 27 goals within 139 matches in the Romanian League.
Petrescu managed (as published in The Saints Hub) Rapid Bucharest, FC Sportul Studentesc Bucharest, Wisla Krakow, Unirea Urziceni, before going to Kuban Krasnodar. Under Petrescu, Unirea Urziceni managed to win a Romanian League 1 title after defeating Steaua Bucuresti and Rapid Bucharest.
Can Dynamo Moscow Avoid Relegation from the RPL?
I personally do not know of any clubs that were saved from being relegated. Petrescu has his work cut out for him.
He has to turn Dynamo Moscow around and make it into a winning team. Petrescu needs the cooperation of management and the squad to make this happen.
It remains to be seen whether the Dynamo Moscow squad and management will help or hurt their club.
FC Dynamo Moscow and FC Zenit St. Petersburg Scoreless At Petrovsky Stadium
Oct 16, 2011
FC Dynamo Moscow and FC Zenit St. Petersburg faced each other at Petrovsky Stadium located at St. Petersburg, Russia. The result was not as expected from two major members of the Russian Premier League.
The teams attempted to dominate the match, several goal scoring opportunities created. FC Zenit St. Petersburg was able to kick the ball towards the penalty box of FC Dynamo Moscow.
FC Zenit St. Petersburg was unable to use its dominance around the penalty box to score a goal. Luciano Spalletti (FC Zenit St. Petersburg coach) attributed this to his players moving too fast in the attempt to score.
Spalletti recognized that FC Dynamo Moscow also had two or three opportunities to score goals. FC Dynamo Moscow was unable to capitalize on the opportunities.
The two side suffered injuries during the second half when Aleksandr Anykov (FC Zenit St Petersburg) collided with Kevin Kuranyi (FC Dynamo Moscow striker). The result was an injury under the knee for Anykov.
Aleksandar Lukovic replaced Anykov and was able to take the ball towards the right side of the field. Lukovic attempted to attack the FC Dynamo Moscow goal post from the right side without any success.
The result was a scoreless draw, meaning Zenit St. Petersburg was able to remain in first place in the Russian Premier League.
The reason was the 2-2 draw between CSKA Moscow and Terek Grozny in their Russian League match.
