MOSCOWRussian football bosses are rallying behind World Cup anti-racism inspector Alexei Smertin in an embezzlement probe unfolding less than two months before kickoff. A former Chelsea player, Smertin serves both as the World Cup's chief anti-discrimination official and Dynamo's executive director. But they have added to organisers' headaches as they race against the clock to put on the most expensive World Cup ever staged. Smertin is responsible for raising awareness about racism in Russian football and cleaning up the domestic game. Fifa has opened disciplinary proceedings against Russia over monkey chants heard during a World Cup warm-up against France in Saint Petersburg in March.

Source: Daily Nation April 24, 2018 13:30 UTC