Spartak Moscow has been fined 200,000 rubles ($3,080) after their fans displayed a banner with a Nazi symbol during a Russian Premier League match against Krylia Sovetov, the Russian Football Union (RFU) said on Thursday.
"In the stands of the Metallurg Stadium a banner with the wording Krasnogorsk [was] written. However, the letter 'O' looked like a runes symbol," the head of the disciplinary committee Artur Grigoryants told reporters.
Spartak won the match 2-0 in Samara on Sunday.
Spartak fans were also accused of offensive behavior during the league match against Ufa in July.
Ufa's Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong said he was subjected to monkey chants and showed his middle finger toward supporters before subsequently being sent off.
The former Arsenal player was banned for two games while Spartak escaped punishment.
Soccer's world governing body FIFA said it would ask the RFU to provide details of the incident.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
