Spartak appeal Emenike fine

Spartak Moscow have asked the Russian Football Union to reduce the 500,000 rubles fine imposed on striker Emmanuel Emenike, the club said. The Nigerian made an obscene gesture to Dynamo Moscow fans during Spartak's 3-1 league victory on March 25. He claimed Dynamo fans had been racially abusing him. Spartak said they wanted the penalty reduced tenfold. “The disciplinary regulations set a 50,000 ruble fine for abusive behavior,” the club website said late Monday. “This, as well as the provocation on the part of Dynamo supporters and Emenike’s apology, we consider that a 500,000 ruble fine doesn’t correspond to the principles of common sense and justice.” Spartak claimed other players had escaped punishment for the same offense. “Earlier CSKA forward Seydou Doumbia and Anzhi Makhachkala defender Christopher Samba showed the opposing side fans an inappropriate gesture, but remained unpunished." “This means that the Ethics Committee violates the principles of the uniform application of regulations." Both Spartak and Dynamo were fined for their fans' misbehavior in the match, including abusive chanting and throwing missiles onto the pitch.