A fan group of Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg has warned the club not to sign black or gay players.
The Landscrona group posted an open letter, called the 'Selection 12 manifesto', on their website today.
"We're not racists, but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition," the letter read.
"It would allow Zenit to maintain the national identity of the club, which is the symbol of St. Petersburg.
"We only want players from other brotherly Slav nations, such as Ukraine and Belarus as well as from the Baltic states and Scandinavia."
Several prominent black players have apparently turned down lucrative offers to join Zenit in the past 12 months, after receiving death threats from fans.
The letter also expressed that the group is against having "sexual minorities" in the team.
A Zenit spokesman has said that the club will not comment on the letter.
Daniel Cross
