Emmanuel Frimpong banned as Russian FA rejects racism claims
Wednesday 22 July 2015 18:13, UK
Emmanuel Frimpong has branded the Russian Football Union a "joke" after he was suspended for two matches.
The governing body's disciplinary committee says it found no evidence of racism after Ufa midfielder Frimpong claimed he was subjected to monkey chants during his side's first Russian Premier League match of the season against Spartak Moscow last Friday.
The 23-year-old former Arsenal man was sent off after he raised a finger to the crowd in response and has been given a ban, while Spartak will face no punishment.
Writing on Twitter, Frimpong said: "Also in other news been banned for two games acceptable on my part for the gesture no problems with that.
For the Russian FA to say they didn't hear or see any evidence of racism is beyond a joke.
"But for the Russian FA to say they didn't hear or see any evidence of racism is beyond a Joke ...Glad it's all over thanks for support
"I've always said we are blessed in England and how wonderful of a country it is not saying there ain't racism in England of course but not to this crazy extend (sic) we live on thanks Gooner family and everyone for your support must stressed (sic) not all Russians behave like that."
Frimpong was invited to attend a hearing regarding the incident but did not appear. Artur Grigoryants, head of the RFU's disciplinary committee, explained the decision not to punish Spartak.
"The match inspector and the match delegate did not note that there had been any disciplinary violations by Spartak supporters towards Frimpong in the match reports," Grigoryants told reporters.
"There were no instances of racism. We have no grounds to take disciplinary sanctions against Spartak.
"Frimpong has been banned for two games for the offensive gesture he displayed towards the stands."
FIFA has said it will be asking the RFU for details of the incident, while the Russian Premier League's security director, Alexander Meytin, also said they had not found any evidence of Spartak Moscow fans racially abusing Frimpong.
The preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup takes place in Russia on Saturday.
