Football
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Dynamo Kiev not planning segregated stands at Olimpiyskiy Stadium

Representatives of Dynamo Kiev's NSK Olimpiyskiy Stadium have denied they are considering a proposal to segregate supporters based on their skin colour.

Volodimir Spilchenko, the director of the stadium where four black fans were attacked during Dynamo's 0-0 draw with Chelsea last week, was quoted as saying in the Washington Post that he was willing to consider the suggestion of segregation, which was made by a journalist.

However, a statement on the stadium's Facebook page said Spilchenko had been misrepresented.

It read: "Unfortunately, the journalists who did the interview [used] only the first sentence of the possibility of creating a separate sector and completely ignored the next sentence, in which the executive director expressed his position.

"[Spilchenko] categorically condemned the idea of creating a separate sector or any other segmentation separate groups of supporters. He also said that he always opposed the construction of additional barriers for fans. But these words were not included."

UEFA has launched disciplinary proceedings against Dynamo after the attacks on the Chelsea fans were caught on camera. News on the proceedings is expected on Tuesday.

At least two of the victims of the attack were hospitalised, with one stabbed as he tried to make his exit, according to Piara Powar, the executive director of the anti-discrimination group FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe) Network.

Powar told Press Association Sport: "It's quite clear the attack that took place. It's documented in video, and subsequently other videos and still photographs have come to light.

"There's no doubt this was a racist attack. From what we've now seen was it was a racist attack that was accompanied by people talking about 'white power.'

"It was perpetrated by the far-right fans in the Olimpiyskiy Stadium."

UEFA's anti-discrimination video was played on the stadium's big screen continuously prior to kick-off and, although that was welcomed, Powar says a firmer, consistent stance is needed from Dynamo's leadership.

"It's about the messages which come from the leadership of a club on a weekly basis," Powar added. "Otherwise you don't get across to some of the fans there.

"In Kiev, there are far-right groups allowed to flourish. It seems at times that there's almost a blind eye being turned to the existence of those groups and their activity is allowed to go unchecked."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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