Zenit to probe racist act toward Roberto Carlos

Zenit to probe racist act toward Roberto Carlos

Published Mar. 23, 2011 1:16 p.m. ET

Russian champion Zenit St. Petersburg is vowing to investigate a racist act in which a supporter at a home match tried to hand a banana to 2002 World Cup winner and Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.

The incident happened Monday at the pre-match ceremony before Zenit played Roberto Carlos' Anzhi Makhachkala.

Zenit issued a statement to its fans Wednesday, saying ''we once again remind that any signs of racial intolerance are prohibited.''

Roberto Carlos, a member of three Brazilian World Cup squads, transferred to the Russian team this year from Corinthians in Brazil.

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In 2008, Zenit was fined $58,000 after its fans threw bananas and made monkey chants at three black Marseille players.

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