Czech player cites racial abuse by Russia fans

Czech player cites racial abuse by Russia fans

Published Jun. 10, 2012 11:22 a.m. ET

A defender for the Czech Republic says he was racially abused by Russian fans at his team's opening game of the European Championship.

Theodor Gebre Selassie's father is Ethiopian and he is the only black man on the Czech team. He downplayed the seriousness of the abuse, calling it nothing ''extreme.'' Gebre Selassie said Sunday he is ready to put it behind him.

European soccer's governing body has pledged zero tolerance of discrimination during the three-week tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

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