Anzhi's Roberto Carlos has a message for the racist fans who have thrown bananas at him during his first year in Russian football: "While you are throwing bananas I am fighting hunger in Brazil."
The Brazilian star has teamed up with other foreigners of the Russian Premier League to produce an anti-racism ad for Russian television.
Russia, host of the 2018 World Cup, has been criticized for not tackling its deeply entrenched problems with racism in sports, prompting officials to set up anti-racism campaigns. The ad was produced by the Dozhd television network, which few people in Russia watch.
Midway through the minute-long presentation Roberto Carlos appears with a placard carrying a slogan in Russian that screams about the world's real problems. The 39-year-old recently became the Russian Premier League's envoy to an EU-backed anti-hunger program.
Lokomotiv Moscow goalkeeper and fellow Brazilian Guilherme then appears, holding up a sign saying: "I know Russian and understand each word you shout."
Guilherme, 26, is said to be interested in acquiring Russian citizenship.
Another Brazilian-born player, Sirilio, who plays for Russia national futsal team, appeared holding a note with the words "I scored 31 goal in 40 caps. Are you unhappy with me?"
Spartak Brazilian forward Ari was showed a sign saying "I love to hear owls hoot, but not the fans."
Ari's teammate Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria asked "Why should I pay for being offended and having snowballs thrown at me?"
The Nigerian was fined 500,000 rubles for an obscene gesture to Dynamo Moscow fans during Spartak's 3-1 league victory on March 25. He claimed Dynamo fans had been racially abusing him.
CSKA and Ivory Coast forward Seydou Doumbia was shown with a note "I am Premier League's top scorer, that says it all."
