Russia Fined by FIFA over Racist Chants at Paul Pogba During France Friendly

FIFA has confirmed the Russian Football Union has been charged and fined after supporters of the national team made racist chants toward France midfielder Paul Pogba during a friendly in Saint Petersburg back in March.

BBC Sport's Richard Conway detailed the punishment levelled at the host nation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in June:

Conway noted how FIFA expressed a belief the actions in Saint Petersburg involved a minority of Russian supporters:

Whether many will deem the response from FIFA strong enough is hard to say. However, this latest incident will only heighten concerns about racism among supporters in the host nation.

In April, Simon Parkin wrote in the Guardian how violent football-supporting factions have become a breeding ground for ideologies based on discrimination and prejudice:

"For two decades, Russia’s firms have been a machine for recruiting and radicalising young men to the far right, which has seeded racist ideology at the centre of the country’s football culture."

Pogba actually excelled during the match, a 3-1 win for Les Bleus. The Manchester United playmaker scored with an exquisite free-kick and assisted Kylian Mbappe to find the net.

However, the match was marred when allegations were made both Pogba and Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele had been the targets of racial abuse. Goal's Jamie Smith reported how world football's governing body began an immediate investigation, with a report taken from FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe).

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

Both the incident and subsequent punishment could highlight concerns of fan and player safety at this summer's tournament.

Back in April, violent sections of Russia's supporters took to social media site VK and threatened to "unleash hell," per Sebastian Kettley of the Daily Express. Meanwhile, England's more aggressive element recently promised to fight Russian ultras, per the Daily Star's Robin Cottle.

Worries about violence and racism prompted Philip Cornwall, writing in the Guardian, to opt against attending this year's World Cup. More fans may follow suit in light of FIFA's latest verdict.