Zenit St Petersburg Fans Protest at The Signing of Black Player Malcom with Shocking Racist Banner

​Zenit St Petersburg fans opted to protest the club's £36m signing of Brazilian winger Malcom from Barcelona, holding up a hugely controversial banner in which they appear to criticise the club for signing a black player.

During a match with Krasnodar, Zenit st  Petersberg fans held a banner which had a sarcastic message.

It said: 

Thank you leadership for loyalty to traditions.”

The 'tradition' in question is believed to be the absence of black players at the club. The Landskrona supporters group have previously posted a ​manifesto online in which they call for the club not to sign any black players.

It reads:

We are not racist and for us the absence of black players is just an important tradition, emphasising the identity of the club and nothing more. 

We, as the northernmost club of the major European cities, have never been mentally connected with Africa, however, as with South America or Australia or Oceania. 

We have absolutely nothing against the inhabitants of these and any other continents, but at the same time we want players who are close in spirit to speak for Zenit. 

LET US BE WHAT WE ARE 

Now, Zenit black football players are being forced almost by force, and this causes only a backlash. 

Let us be what we are. 

In addition, we can not ignore the specifics of the Russian championship. Our country is dominated by tough, strong soccer in the fields, many of which leave much to be desired.

In addition, most of the championship takes place in fairly severe weather. Under these conditions it is quite difficult for technical players from warm countries to fully discover their football talent."

The Brazilian forward played 24 games for the Catalans after signing from Bordeaux.