Manchester City finally announce their blockbuster signing of Erling Haaland from Dortmund for £51m. 'I can personally assure you that I will do everything I can to help those who seek to explain to people what tolerance is, and the need to respect other cultures and traditions,' Spalletti said.
Zenit was the only top-flight Russian team without a black player until this summer, when it acquired Brazilian striker Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel for 80 million euros.įrench midfielder Yann M'Vila declined a move to the club in August after receiving death threats. The club, which is owned by state-controlled natural gas giant Gazprom, also told the R-Sport news agency it picked players on ability alone, insisting that 'the team's policy is aimed at development and integration into the world soccer community, and holds no archaic views.' 'Furthermore, being tolerant means that you fight against any kind of stupidity,' he added. Without directly referring to their manifesto, Zenit's Italian head coach, Luciano Spalletti, said on the club's website that 'tolerance for me is most of all the ability to understand and accept differences.' The club quickly sought to distance itself from the fans. Insult: Hulk (right) is a non-white player who plays for the Russian side
