Russia seeks to silence racists

MOSCOW - Russian soccer's anti-racism chief wants the World Cup host to start using Fan ID cards at league matches to combat monkey chants.

Ape noises have turned into one of the most serious dilemmas facing Russia in the run-up to the June 14-July 15 showpiece.

The incidents have blighted some of the biggest games played in Russia and aired live on national TV.

The most recent case resulted in defending champions Spartak Moscow receiving a partial stadium ban last week over fan abuse hurled at an African player in a League Cup semifinal.

The football federation simultaneously fined Zenit Saint Petersburg for "Nazi slogans" heard during a league match against Anzhi Makhachkala.

And world governing body FIFA launched disciplinary proceedings against Russia over monkey chants heard during a friendly against France in March.

Anti-discrimination inspector Alexei Smertin said on Monday the same Fan ID cards being used at World Cup matches should be applied to domestic Russian games.

Russia first tried out the system with FIFA's approval at lasts year's Confederations Cup.

"I am in favor of the Russian championship using the Fan ID system, just as we did at the Confederations Cup," Smertin told Russia's RT television station.

Agence France-Presse