Luciano Spalletti speaks out over fan letter

Zenit St. Petersburg manager Luciano Spalletti has spoken out after a letter from a fan group warned the club against signing black or gay players.

The Landscrona group posted the letter on their website today, and although a club spokesman said Zenit would not comment, Spalletti has moved to distance the club from the views expressed.

Without referring directly to the letter, Spalletti said: "Tolerance for me is the ability to understand and accept differences.

"Furthermore, being tolerant means you fight against any kind of stupidity.

"I can personally assure you that I will do everything I can to help those who seek to explain what tolerance is, and the need to respect other cultures and traditions."

The letter also expressed the desire not to have any "sexual minorities" in the team and said that the fan group wanted only Northern European players at Zenit.