FIFA charge Russia over fan racism chants

Paris - FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Russian Football Union over monkey chants heard during a friendly international against France, a spokesman told AFP on Tuesday.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele were allegedly targeted by racist chanting during the match in Saint Petersburg last month between the World Cup hosts and France.

Previously France's sports minister condemned the "inadmissible" monkey chants aimed at Pogba and Dembele during the international friendly against Russia.

Laura Flessel, a former two-time Olympic champion in fencing, posted a message on her Twitter account on Wednesday.

"Racism has no place on the football pitch," she said.

"We have to take action together on a European and international level to bring an end to this inadmissible behaviour."