Police are trying to calm tensions between fans of Zenit St. Petersburg and ethnic minorities from Russia’s North Caucasus region after a mass brawl in a restaurant, authorities said Thursday.
In what the police have described as a case of “fan hooliganism,” around 30 people allegedly attacked and beat up three fans of Anzhi Makhachkala, a club from the North Caucasus province of Dagestan, at a fast food restaurant in the city last week.
Police gathered together Zenit fan club representatives and community leaders from St. Petersburg’s Dagestani community to discuss the issue, police said.
“During the meetings, the impermissible nature of growing conflicts between Zenit and other clubs was discussed,” the force said in a website statement, adding that unspecified “preventative measures” would be taken to stop repeats of the brawl.
Zenit fans have a record of racist behavior at matches and involvement in racist attacks. Former coach Dick Advocaat said that the supporter’s attitudes were the reason Zenit is the only major Russian club never to have signed a black player.
The Anzhi fans involved in the clash were reportedly on their way to see their team play AZ Alkmaar in a Europa League match in Moscow.
At the match, Anzhi fans were subjected to racist abuse from supporters of Moscow teams angry at Anzhi using Lokomotiv Moscow’s stadium for the match.
European football's governing body UEFA banned Anzhi from hosting European games at their home ground for security reasons.
