“This is a football match and it is not about color.”

Zenit St. Petersburg fans have been warned against any racist behavior at Wednesday’s

UEFA Cup final against Glasgow Rangers. “There will be zero tolerance. The referee is perfectly

in his rights to interrupt the game and not start again until problem resolves,” UEFA spokesman

William Gaillard said Tuesday.

Zenit fans were accused of racially abusing Olympique Marseille players in March. Black

players Jean-Claude Darcheville and Amdy Faye could play for Rangers on Wednesday, and

British sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has warned that any fans found guilty of racist abuse could

face six months in prison.

“I know Zenit St. Petersburg fans have been accused of racially

abusing black players at the Marseille game and, obviously, there are fears in some quarters that

the same could happen on Wednesday,” Sutcliffe said. “Come here and racially abuse black

players and you will feel the full force of the law. “Our success in tackling racism is based on a

zero-tolerance approach and Zenit fans will have to abide by our tough rules.”

Zenit coach Dick Advocaat—a former Rangers manager—was irritated by Sutcliffe’s

comments. “I think he must have a little bit more other concerns probably than this,” the

Dutchman said. “This is a football match and it is not about color.”

Manchester police said they will be guarding against any racist incidents. “We’ve getting

intelligence about the Russian fans,” police chief superintendent Gerry Donnellan said. “All these

fans know what’s reasonable. Certainly from Rangers and Zenit fans they know what’s

acceptable back on their own terraces and if they come to Manchester it’s the same

standard.”

The UEFA Cup is Europe’s No. 2 club tournament behind the Champions

League.(source: yahoo/ap)