Krylya Sovetov fined over $10,000 after Carlos incident

The Control and Disciplinary Committee (CDC) of the Russian Football Union (RFU) ruled at its meeting on Friday to fine Samara club Krylya Sovetov over 300,000 rubles ($10,630) following an incident when a fan threw a banana in the direction of Brazilian footballer Roberto Carlos. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the central Russian city of Samara during a match between Krylya Sovetov and Anzhi Makhachkala, who are captained by former Real Madrid and Brazil defender Carlos. With a minute or two remaining and Anzhi leading 3-0, a banana landed on the grass near Carlos. The footballer took off the captain's armband and left the field, refusing to finish the match. The RFU said Krylya Sovetov will have to pay 100,000 rubles for manifestations of racism and 200,000 rubles for failure to ensure order and security at the stadium. The club will also have to pay 30,000 rubles because its fans shouted obscenities. On Thursday, the RFU toughened disciplinary measures for manifestations of racism and Nazi symbolism. The punishments now include a club playing up to three matches in front of an empty stadium or being forced to play a home game in another city. The swift reaction from the Russian football authorities to the act of racism came in the light of the country's preparations to host the 2018 World Cup. Krylya Sovetov condemned Wednesday's incident and announced a reward of 50,000 rubles ($1,800) for any important information that would help identify the culprit. This is not the first time the 38-years-old Brazilian, who won the 2002 World Cup, has been subjected to an act of racism in Russia. When Anzhi played Zenit St. Petersburg in March, a fan thrust a half-peeled banana at Carlos, who held the Russian flag ahead of the first game of the season at Zenit's Petrovsky Stadium. Following the incident, Zenit was fined some $10,500 and the fan received a life ban from the club's games.