Lokomotiv accuse Anzhi fans of racist taunt

Lokomotiv Moscow have issued a statement accusing an Anzhi Makhachkala fan of throwing a banana at Congolese defender Christopher Samba.

The former Blackburn Rovers star was targeted as he left the field of play following his new club's 1-0 defeat in Moscow.

Despite calls from the Dagestani club to find and punish the culprit, Lokomotiv chiefs have now pointed the finger at the Anzhi fans.

Club spokesman Denis Novoselov said: "We studied all the video from surveillance cameras, carefully reviewed the testimony of witnesses, and the results of this investigation found that the banana was thrown by a fan of [Anzhi]."

However, Anzhi consultant German Tkacheko has now refuted those claims and has suggested that it is Smorodskaya trying to shift the blame. In doing so, he has also ignited a sexism row.

"Of course, it would be proper to wait for the end of the official investigation," said Tkacheko. "Without wanting to offend anyone, I won't say [Lokomotiv's statement] is nonsense, but it is precisely a female response.

"Making such a statement the representative of Lokomotiv and puts the reputation of our fans and correspondingly of our club in a bad light. In current situation we demand to provide us with the conclusive evidences or immediate and official refutation with an apology to our fans and the club. Otherwise the case will be brought before the court and the law-enforcement bodies."

Lokomotiv have also called for Samba to face action for throwing the object into the stand.