Samba: I almost cried when fan threw banana

Former Blackburn star Chris Samba has told how the racism in Russian football almost reduced him to tears.

The 6ft 4in centre-back, who moved from Rovers to megabucks Anzhi Makhachkala in February, had a banana thrown at him from the stands during a game against Lokomotiv Moscow two weeks ago.

Samba said the incident was "the saddest thing that has ever happened to me in my football career.

"I was absolutely shocked. I did not expect it and did nothing to provoke it.

"It was humiliating. I almost felt like crying.

"It's a very sad day for the game. What sort of example is that? It is an awful image to be seen by children.

"Lokomotiv tried to defend themselves and to a point I can understand that. But there is no doubting someone threw the banana and should be held accountable."

French-born Samba added that the atmosphere at games in Russia is very different to what he is used to.

"I never felt discriminated against in France or in England," he said. "It wasn't something I was ever confronted with or had to deal with."