See what someone is proposing in 2015. Volodimir Spilchenko, the director of Dynamo Kiev's (arguably Ukraine's
biggest club) home ground, says that having black fans segregated from
other supporters could prevent racism.
About four black men were reportedly attacked and racially abused last
week during a home game against Chelsea in the champions league,a
situation that has become the norm in that part of the world and UEFA
will decide on what disciplinary sanctions to take against Dynamo
on Tuesday after the shocking footage was released.
'We are trying, maybe, to make a special sector (for black fans),'
Spilchenko said, 'In order to avoid the manifestation of racism.'
The notion was suggested to the club by a journalist, but Spilchenko
labelled it a 'good idea' and said: 'We'll probably listen to your
offer,' in an interview reported by the Washington Post.
But after the incident against Chelsea, Ukraine Football Federation
vice-president Ohor Kochetov denied that there was a problem with racism
at the Olimpiyskiy Stadium and questioned the motives of the black men
who were in that particular section of the stadium.
Kochetov told the Ukrainian news portal Vesti: '[The presence of the
black fans] in the sector that is always occupied by the "Rodychi"
ultras is highly surprising to everyone.
'People of that category (black people) have never been there. Initial
information indicates that these people were without tickets and were
holding flares.
'Maybe this was a specially planned provocation. These are all questions that require answers'
The night before the game in Kiev, Chelsea fans were attacked by around
70 balaclava-clad Dynamo thugs in the city centre with at least one
English supporter being hospitalised.