Samba speaks out following alleged incident
Anzhi Makhachkala defender Chris Samba has spoken out after a banana was allegedly thrown from the crowd during last night’s (18 March) game at Lokomotiv Moscow.
The former Blackburn defender, who joined Anzhi last month, responded by hurling the object back into the stands after his side had suffered a 1-0 defeat.
“I am very sad that this happened in front of children who were sitting in the same stand,” said the 27-year-old Congo international. “It is a really bad example for them.”
An Anzhi spokesman confirmed: “A banana came down at Samba from the VIP section, as the teams were leaving the field. Who threw it is unknown. Samba picked up the banana and threw it back. In our opinion this was the best and most appropriate response to those responsible.”
No footage has yet been found of the incident and, despite confirmation by Anzhi, Samba and a witness who recounted details to a radio station, Lokomotiv president Olga Smorodskaya issued a denial.
“This didn’t happen and couldn’t have happened,” she said. “I watched how our fans behaved in the stadium. They have provided exemplary support to the team.”
Anzhi boss Guus Hiddink and team director Roberto Carlos and then said to have been trying to calm the crowd.
From Daily Mail
