Goal.com · May 29, 2018
'Don't make opinions based on rumours' - Smertin 'convinced' World Cup will have no racism problems
The former Chelsea midfielder has been working to decrease discriminatory incidents in the country since taking up his post in 2017
Former Russia star Alexey Smertin is certain that the 2018 World Cup will pass without incident in Russia despite fears the finals could be clouded by racist incidents.
Concerns that black players could be targeted were heightened in March when France stars Paul Pogba and Ousmane Dembele were allegedly targeted by monkey noises during a friendly in St. Petersburg.